Detachable Inkjet Nozzle Head With Paint Circulation Against Clogging

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coating machines, such as rotary atomizing and inkjet coating machines, face issues like paint mist contamination, paint precipitation leading to nozzle clogging, and complex internal structures that prolong paint type change times.

Innovation Solution

An inkjet coating machine with a detachable nozzle head unit, integrated circulation path, and standby holding unit, allowing for efficient paint circulation and quick replacement of nozzle heads, reducing precipitation and cleaning time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If paint is stored in a static state, then storage is simple, but precipitation of paint components occurs leading to nozzle clogging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage simplicityVSAvoidnozzle clogging prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a circulation path that continuously moves paint from the storage unit through the nozzle head and back to the storage unit. This continuous circulation prevents paint components from settling and precipitating, thereby preventing nozzle clogging while maintaining storage simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Manufacturing precision

If the nozzle head structure is complex to achieve precise coating, then coating precision is improved, but cleaning time increases when changing paint types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating precisionVSAvoidcleaning time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the coating system into a reusable nozzle head unit and a replaceable storage unit. The nozzle head retains its complex precision structure for accurate coating, while the storage unit can be quickly replaced with a pre-cleaned unit when changing paint types, significantly reducing cleaning time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the nozzle head is permanently mounted, then structural stability is improved, but time required for changing paint types increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidpaint type change time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the nozzle head assembly from the storage unit with a detachable connection mechanism. This allows the nozzle head to be stably mounted during operation for structural stability, while enabling quick detachment and replacement of the storage unit when changing paint types, reducing changeover time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Prevents paint component precipitation, reduces cleaning time, and maintains coating efficiency by enabling quick nozzle head changes and paint type transitions.

Implementation Method 1

a head-side circulation path enabling the paint to circulate within the nozzle head

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCirculation: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4011503B1Coating machine
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP4011503B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4011503B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4011503B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An inkjet coating machine is provided to prevent the components in the paint from precipitating. The inkjet coating machine (10) includes: a robot arm having a chuck (30) at a front end and a nozzle head unit (50) detachably mounted on the chuck (30). The nozzle head unit (50) includes a nozzle head (53) having a nozzle (54) for spraying the paint, a nozzle control unit for controlling driving of the nozzle (54), and a head-side circulation path (70) enabling the paint to circulate within the nozzle head (53). The nozzle head (53), the nozzle control unit and the head-side circulation path (70) are integrally configured. The coating machine further includes: a standby holding unit (230) that holds at least one nozzle head unit (50) in standby and a head replacement unit (220) that replaces the nozzle head unit (50).