Laminated Nozzle with Direct Fluid Conduits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laminated nozzle assemblies experience restricted fluid flow due to indirect and circuitous flow paths, leading to decreased fluid velocity, plugging, and cooling of hot melt adhesive, which results in inefficient application and potential contamination issues.
Innovation Solution
A laminated nozzle assembly with a reduced number of plates and larger, more direct fluid conduits, including a first fluid conduit with a reservoir and openings that split into multiple flow paths, and a second fluid conduit with an inlet channel and openings that facilitate direct flow to coplanar orifices, enhancing fluid velocity and reducing plugging risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional laminated nozzle assemblies use multiple plates with small aligned openings to form internal conduits, then the structural integrity and manufacturability are improved, but the fluid flow path becomes indirect and circuitous, leading to restricted fluid flow and decreased fluid velocity
Solution Approach 1:
The internal conduits are segmented into multiple sections formed by aligned openings in individual plates. Each plate contributes a portion of the conduit path, allowing modular manufacturing while maintaining flow continuity. The segmentation enables standard machining processes on each plate while the assembled structure provides the complete flow path.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow path transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement to a three-dimensional laminated structure. By stacking plates with aligned openings, the conduit system utilizes the third dimension (thickness direction) to create direct flow paths that would be difficult to achieve with conventional single-piece machining, thereby improving both manufacturability and fluid velocity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional laminated nozzle assemblies use indirect and circuitous flow paths through multiple plates, then the structural stability is improved, but plugging and cooling of hot melt adhesive occur, resulting in unreliable operation
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle assembly pre-heats the hot melt adhesive as it travels through the internal conduits before discharge. Heating elements embedded in the plate structure maintain the adhesive at optimal temperature throughout the flow path, preventing cooling and subsequent plugging that would compromise operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The laminated plate structure with aligned openings creates a more direct flow path that reduces the residence time of hot melt adhesive in the conduit system. By minimizing the distance and number of turns the adhesive must travel, the system reduces exposure to potential plugging points and maintains higher flow velocities that prevent material stagnation.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional laminated nozzle assemblies use numerous plates with small openings, then the precision of adhesive discharge is improved, but the number of components increases, leading to increased device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional elements are merged into single plate components. For example, plates are designed to simultaneously provide structural support, form conduit walls, contain heating elements, and define discharge orifices. This integration reduces the total number of separate components while maintaining the precision required for accurate adhesive discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
Each plate in the laminated assembly serves multiple functions: it provides structural integrity to the nozzle body, forms portions of the internal conduits through its openings, houses heating elements for temperature control, and defines discharge orifices. This multi-functionality reduces component count while maintaining discharge precision through careful design of each universal plate element.
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 design increases fluid velocity, reduces plugging, and improves application precision by minimizing the number of plates and optimizing flow paths, allowing for more efficient and consistent discharge of hot melt adhesive and air, thereby enhancing the start/stop performance and reducing contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
A first fluid conduit in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet formed in one or more of the nozzle plates, the first fluid conduit having a reservoir and one or more first openings positioned in fluid communication with the reservoir
Implementation Method 2
The discharged air causes the discharged hot melt adhesive to oscillate or vacillate during application to the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A laminated nozzle assembly includes a first end plate having first and second fluid inlets, a second end plate, and a plurality of nozzle plates positioned between the first and second end plates. A first fluid conduit is fluidically connected to the first fluid inlet. The first fluid conduit has a reservoir and one or more first openings. A second fluid conduit is fluidically connected to the second fluid inlet. The second fluid conduit has an inlet channel, a connecting channel and one or more second openings. An orifice assembly includes a first orifice fluidically connected to the first opening and a second orifice fluidically connected to the second opening. The first and second orifices are disposed in the same plate of the plurality of nozzle plates and are coplanar.