Modular Nozzle Elements for Variable Marking Line Widths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing marking devices for generating lines of marking material face challenges such as inflexible nozzle spacing, high detergent consumption for cleaning, and time-consuming rinsing processes due to clogging issues, which hinder adaptability and efficiency in producing different line widths and require extensive production of various device parts.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves nozzle elements that can be individually attached and removed from a nozzle arrangement, allowing for variable spacing and easy adaptation, with a common holder providing a continuous material supply and selective discharge channels for targeted nozzle control, enabling quick switching and reduced detergent use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If fixed nozzle bars with predetermined spacing are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different line widths and spacing requirements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle bar is divided into modular nozzle units that can be independently attached and detached. Each nozzle unit contains one or more nozzles with fixed internal spacing, but the modular design allows the entire bar to be reconfigured by attaching different combinations of units, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle bar transitions from a static, fixed-configuration component to a dynamic, reconfigurable assembly. Quick-connect mechanisms enable the nozzle units to be rapidly repositioned or replaced during maintenance or when different marking patterns are required, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while enabling adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple nozzle bars with different configurations are produced to meet varying client requirements, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and inventory management become unmanageable
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal nozzle bar platform is designed that can accommodate multiple nozzle unit types through standardized mounting interfaces. This allows one base component to serve multiple functions by accepting different nozzle configurations, reducing the need to manufacture and stock multiple specialized nozzle bars while maintaining full adaptability to client requirements.
3Productivity
If individual nozzle elements with selective material supply channels are implemented, then clogging response time is reduced and detergent consumption decreases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The material supply system is segmented into individual channels for each nozzle unit, allowing isolated flushing of clogged nozzles without affecting others. This segmentation enables rapid response to clogging by targeting only the affected channel, reducing overall downtime and detergent consumption despite the increased complexity of the distributed channel network.
Solution Approach 2:
Quick-connect coupling elements serve as intermediaries between the material supply system and individual nozzle units. These couplings include integrated flushing channels that can be activated selectively, providing a simple interface that manages the complexity of individualized material supply while enabling rapid maintenance response.
4Reliability
If complete rinsing of the entire material supply system is performed after each use, then reliability is improved, but time consumption and detergent usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of performing complete system rinsing after each use, the design enables partial rinsing of only the necessary portions. The modular nozzle units can be quickly detached and individually flushed if needed, while the main material supply channels require full rinsing only periodically, significantly reducing time and detergent consumption while maintaining adequate cleanliness and reliability.
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
This design enhances delivery readiness, allows for easy adaptation of nozzle spacing, reduces downtime due to clogging, and minimizes detergent consumption, facilitating efficient production of different line widths with fewer device parts.
Implementation Method 1
The marking material portions are applied in a device with nozzle bars known from relevant practice, which is equipped with a series of nozzles arranged transversely to the direction of movement of the device, which are filled with the mixed two-component marking material from a marking material source via feed channels and at regular intervals With the help of compressed air blasts supplied via another channel opening into the nozzle, they can be emptied in the direction of the surface to be coated
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for producing marking lines (10) consisting of many individual portions (11) of marking material, wherein the portions (11) of marking material can be ejected from a nozzle arrangement connected to a source of marking material, the nozzle arrangement having several discharge nozzles (18) arranged side by side transversely to a direction of movement (12) of the device (1), by means of compressed air pulses. The new device is characterized in that the individual discharge nozzles (18) are located in nozzle elements (17) that can be individually attached to and removed from the nozzle arrangement.