Liquid Application Unit Wetting Suppression Structure

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid application units struggle to apply high-viscosity liquid materials stably over time due to wetting and spreading on the periphery of the application needle, leading to variations in the amount applied.

Innovation Solution

A liquid application unit with a wetting and spreading suppressing structure on the periphery of the liquid material container, featuring protruding portions or annular grooves that guide the liquid back into the container, preventing accumulation and stabilizing the application process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a liquid material containing metal powder with high viscosity is applied using an existing application unit, then the liquid material can be applied initially, but the liquid material wets and spreads on the periphery of the hole through repeated application, forming liquid accumulation and causing variation in application amount

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication stabilityVSAvoidapplication amount consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a wetting and spreading suppressing structure (such as a repulsive force applying structure or protruding portion) to the periphery of the hole in advance, before liquid accumulation occurs. This preliminary structural modification prevents the liquid material from wetting and spreading during repeated application operations, thereby maintaining consistent application amounts and resolving the contradiction between application stability and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the wetting and spreading suppressing structure acting as a mediator between the liquid material and the hole periphery) that applies a repulsive force to prevent liquid material from adhering to the hole periphery. This intermediary structure enables stable application of high-viscosity liquid materials by preventing liquid accumulation, thus improving both reliability and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If chemical treatments are used to suppress wetting and spreading, then liquid accumulation can be prevented, but the process complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication stabilityVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical treatment methods with a mechanical/physical structure (the wetting and spreading suppressing structure such as protruding portions or repulsive force applying structures). This structural approach prevents liquid accumulation through physical repulsive forces rather than chemical means, thereby reducing process complexity and eliminating the need for additional chemical treatment steps while maintaining application stability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The wetting and spreading suppressing structure is integrated into the application unit itself, making the system self-sufficient in preventing liquid accumulation. The structure automatically prevents wetting and spreading during the application process without requiring external chemical treatments or additional processing steps, thereby reducing overall process complexity while ensuring reliable application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 structure effectively suppresses wetting and spreading, ensuring consistent application of high-viscosity liquids over extended periods without chemical treatments, reducing variations in application amounts.

Implementation Method 1

the surface tension at the edge of a hole through which the application needle of the liquid material container protrudes and the pressure by the weight of the liquid material in the liquid material container are in balance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Data Source

PatentEP4219022B1Liquid application unit and liquid application apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 NTN CORP
  • EP4219022B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4219022B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4219022B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A liquid material unit capable of applying a liquid material having a high viscosity stably for a long time includes an application needle and a liquid material container (11). The liquid material container (11) stores the liquid material (21). The liquid material container (11) has a space that stores the liquid material (21) and a hole (15h) that allows the application needle to pass through the space. A wetting and spreading suppressing structure (16) for the liquid material (21) is disposed at the periphery of the hole (15h) in the liquid material container (11).