Jetting Device Vacuum Nozzle Residue Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Jetting devices face challenges in maintaining consistent droplet size and placement accuracy due to viscous medium residue accumulation at the nozzle outlet, leading to potential bridging and short-circuiting issues in electronic circuit board manufacturing.

Innovation Solution

A jetting device configuration that includes a vacuum nozzle and pump to direct a gaseous flow over the nozzle outlet, utilizing a control valve to adjust the flow rate by varying the inlet conduit diameter, ensuring effective removal of residue and maintaining optimal nozzle performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a vacuum ejector is used to remove viscous medium residue from the jetting outlet, then the reliability of droplet deposition is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and control systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedroplet deposition reliabilityVSAvoidjetting device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum ejector system is integrated with the jetting nozzle assembly, combining the droplet ejection function and residue removal function into a single coordinated system. The vacuum nozzle is positioned to work in conjunction with the jetting nozzle, allowing simultaneous or sequential operation without requiring separate independent systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A gaseous flow is introduced as an intermediary medium to transport viscous medium residue from the jetting outlet. The gas flow acts as a carrier that entrains the residue and moves it through the vacuum nozzle to the ejector, eliminating the need for direct mechanical contact or complex scraping mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the inlet conduit diameter is reduced to control gaseous flow rate, then the precision of air flow control is improved, but the gaseous flow capacity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow rate control precisionVSAvoidgaseous flow quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The inlet conduit diameter is made variable rather than fixed, allowing the system to dynamically adjust the flow cross-section based on operational requirements. The conduit can transition between different diameter states to optimize both precision control and flow capacity as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The physical parameter of the inlet conduit (diameter) is changed to control flow characteristics. By varying the diameter, the system can precisely regulate the gaseous flow rate while maintaining sufficient flow capacity when the diameter is increased.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If viscous medium residue accumulates at the jetting outlet, then the device simplicity is maintained, but the manufacturing precision of droplet deposition deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejetting device simplicityVSAvoiddroplet placement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum ejector system is activated before or during the jetting process to prevent residue accumulation in the first place. By continuously or periodically removing residue, the system maintains optimal jetting conditions without requiring complex mechanical cleaning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The gaseous flow that could potentially interfere with droplet jetting is converted into a beneficial cleaning mechanism. The same gas flow that passes over the jetting outlet serves dual purposes: it can assist in droplet formation while simultaneously entraining and removing viscous medium residue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 solution enhances the reliability and consistency of droplet deposition by preventing residue accumulation, reducing the risk of bridging and short-circuiting, and improving the overall performance and efficiency of the jetting process.

Implementation Method 1

The vacuum pump may be configured to generate the gaseous flow based on drawing a gaseous fluid into the vacuum nozzle and further towards the vacuum pump via the vacuum nozzle outlet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

The control valve may be configured to control a flow rate of the gaseous flow through the vacuum nozzle outlet based on adjusting a smallest diameter of the inlet conduit between an open diameter and a constricted diameter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure Drop: Pressure Drop

Data Source

PatentUS10609822B1Jetting devices with control valve-enabled variable air flow and methods of controlling air flow
Publication Date: 2020.03.31 MYCRONIC
  • US10609822B1 patent drawing
  • US10609822B1 patent drawing
  • US10609822B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A jetting device may include a vacuum nozzle configured to direct a gaseous flow of a gaseous fluid in flow communication with a jetting outlet; a vacuum pump configured to draw the gaseous flow into the vacuum nozzle and further towards the vacuum pump via the vacuum nozzle outlet; and an inlet conduit between a vacuum nozzle inlet and the ambient environment, where the inlet conduit includes a control valve configured to control a flow rate of the gaseous flow through the vacuum nozzle outlet based on adjusting a smallest diameter of the inlet conduit between an open diameter and a constricted diameter. The open diameter may be greater than a smallest diameter of the suction hole. The gaseous flow may include a first gaseous flow into the vacuum nozzle via a suction hole and an adjustable second gaseous flow into the vacuum nozzle via the vacuum nozzle inlet.