Digital Powder Distribution Nozzle for Large-Volume, Adaptive Texture Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ceramic tile distribution systems struggle with inconsistent texture distribution, poor adaptability to different powders, and large equipment size, leading to unnatural texture effects and inefficient powder distribution.

Innovation Solution

A digital powder distribution nozzle with a control system, powder storage hopper, and vibrating powder-spraying assemblies, allowing for precise control of powder distribution and adaptability to various powders, while reducing equipment volume.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a row of powder discharging openings is used in cooperation with a powder hopper, then powder distribution is realized, but the volume of the equipment becomes large and the space occupancy rate increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepowder distribution amountVSAvoidequipment volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The single large powder hopper is segmented into multiple smaller powder storage cavities, each serving specific spraying holes. This segmentation reduces the overall equipment volume while maintaining the capability to distribute large amounts of powder through parallel operation of multiple smaller units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-row linear arrangement to a multi-layer three-dimensional structure with powder storage cavities arranged in multiple layers and spraying holes distributed across different levels, enabling compact powder distribution in reduced space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If pneumatic control is used for powder distribution, then powder can be controlled, but the texture distribution becomes inconsistent and the texture effect is unnatural

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepowder controlVSAvoidtexture distribution consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Vibrating members are installed at the powder discharge ends of spraying holes to mechanically vibrate and discharge powder. This mechanical vibration method ensures consistent powder discharge and uniform texture distribution, resolving the inconsistency issue of pneumatic control while maintaining ease of operation through automated vibration control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces pneumatic control with a mechanical vibration system for powder discharge. The vibrating members directly mechanically agitate and discharge powder, providing more consistent and controllable texture distribution compared to pneumatic methods, while the system remains easily operable through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If the powder storage hopper is fixed, then the structure is simple, but the adaptability to different powders is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidadaptability to different powder
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The powder storage hopper is transformed from a fixed structure to a movable one, capable of moving between a working position (inserted into the powder storage base) and a maintenance position (withdrawn). This dynamic design enables the system to adapt to different powder types and facilitates easy maintenance, achieving high versatility without significantly increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable powder storage hopper design allows the same structure to serve multiple functions: storing different types of powder, adapting to different powder characteristics, and enabling easy maintenance. This universal design achieves high adaptability to different powders while maintaining relatively simple structure through standardized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of manufacture

If mixed materials are used for full-body tiles, then the production process is simplified, but the texture effect is inconsistent between inside and surface of the brick

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction process simplicityVSAvoidtexture consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using different powder materials for different regions: full-body powder for the interior and surface powder for the exterior. The spraying system selectively applies different powders to different areas, achieving consistent texture between inside and surface while maintaining a relatively simple production process through automated multi-powder spraying.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 natural and consistent texture distribution, efficient powder distribution for large amounts, and compact nozzle design, addressing issues of adaptability and space occupancy.

Implementation Method 1

a vibrating member, the top of the vibrating member is detachably installed on the bracket, the bottom of the vibrating member is fixedly connected to the powder-spraying box; characterized in that: two sides of the powder storage base in the width direction are respectively provided with one row of vibrating powder-spraying assemblies

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

two sides of the powder storage base in the width direction are respectively provided with one row of jacks communicated with the powder storage cavity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity flow: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4227054B1Digital powder distribution nozzle capable of handling large powder amount and having greater adaptability
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 HOPE CERAMICS MACHINERY
  • EP4227054B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4227054B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4227054B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present application relates to a digital powder distribution nozzle for a large amount of powder and wider adaptability, it comprises a control system, a powder storage hopper, a flat cable plug, a powder storage base, a nozzle baseplate and a plurality of vibrating powder-spraying assemblies; the bottom of the powder storage base is installed on the nozzle baseplate, the inside of the powder storage base is provided with a powder storage cavity, and the top of the powder storage base is provided with a first feeding port; the top of the powder storage hopper is provided with a second feeding port. The digital powder distribution nozzle for a large amount of powder and wider adaptability can realize the distribution for a large amount of powder, and has wide adaptability for distributing different powder, and the texture is highly controllable. The obtained brick texture is natural, effectively reduces the volume of the nozzle, and solves the problems of the existing full-body brick not performing the distribution with a large amount of powder, poor adaptability to different powder, not fine controlling the texture of the brick, unnatural texture effect and large nozzle space occupancy.