Multi-Needle Head Height Alignment via O-Ring Mediator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-needle heads face challenges in aligning the end portions of multiple needles, leading to inconsistent liquid discharge patterns and difficulty in achieving a uniform coating layer due to varying needle heights, which affects process accuracy and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A multi-needle head design featuring an adapter with an O-ring and a holder that allows adjustable height alignment of needles, along with a manifold and exhaust pipe system to prevent bubble formation and ensure consistent liquid discharge pressure, utilizing a method that includes temporary assembly for height adjustment and complete fixing to maintain aligned needle heights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a multi-needle head is used to widen spraying area and increase process efficiency, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to difficulty in aligning needle end portions
Solution Approach 1:
An adapter is introduced as an intermediary component between the needle and holder. The adapter includes an O-ring that engages with an O-ring fixing portion on the holder, serving as a mediator to transmit and stabilize the vertical position of the needle. This intermediary mechanism enables precise alignment of needle end portions while maintaining the multi-needle configuration for high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The O-ring is pre-installed on the adapter before assembly, and the adapter is designed with predetermined vertical position features. During assembly, the O-ring engages with the O-ring fixing portion to automatically establish the correct vertical position of the needle relative to the holder, performing the alignment action in advance before final assembly is complete
2Ease of manufacture
If needle heights are not aligned, then ease of manufacture is improved by allowing flexible needle installation, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inconsistent liquid discharge positions
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter acts as an intermediary that decouples the needle installation process from the precision alignment requirement. The O-ring mechanism on the adapter mediates between the flexible installation process and the precise alignment outcome, allowing needles to be easily installed while ensuring consistent vertical positions and liquid discharge locations
Solution Approach 2:
The O-ring fixing mechanism changes the positional parameter of the needle by establishing a fixed vertical distance between the needle end and the holder through the O-ring engagement. This parameter change ensures that regardless of minor variations in needle installation, the liquid discharge positions remain consistent
Data Source
AI summary
Proposed is a multi-needle head. The multi-needle head includes at least one adapter mounted with a needle in which liquid is discharged therethrough, and includes a holder in which the adapter is fixed. An O-ring having an outer diameter thereof larger than a width of a body of the adapter is coupled to the body of the adapter, a fixing hole into which the body of the adapter is inserted is formed in the holder, and an O-ring fixing portion having an inner diameter thereof larger than an inner diameter of the fixing hole is formed in the middle of the fixing hole such that the O-ring is positioned at the O-ring fixing portion. A vertical width of the O-ring fixing portion is larger than a vertical width of the O-ring, thereby allowing a height of the adapter that is fixed to the holder to be adjusted.