Multibeam Hollow Cone Nozzle for Flexible Spray Mist Shaping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current nozzle body manufacturing processes, such as injection molding and 3D printing, are limited in design flexibility, restricting the geometries that can be produced and consequently limiting the characteristics of the spray mist generated.

Innovation Solution

The nozzle body features at least two hollow cone nozzle geometries with swirl chambers and nozzle bores, allowing for the creation of overlapping spray cones, which can be asymmetrical and produced using laser processing, enabling greater design freedom and control over the spray mist characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If injection molding or 3D printing is used to manufacture the nozzle body, then the manufacturing process is established and reproducible, but the design freedom and geometric flexibility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing processVSAvoiddesign freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle body is divided into multiple hollow cone nozzle geometries (at least two) with separate swirl chambers and nozzle bores, each capable of generating independent spray cones. This segmentation allows flexible arrangement and configuration of multiple spray outlets to achieve desired spray patterns while maintaining manufacturability through standardized modular components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

At least one hollow cone nozzle geometry features an asymmetrical design where the nozzle bore is arranged eccentrically (off-center) with respect to the swirl chamber, rather than being rotationally symmetrical. This asymmetry enables targeted control of spray mist characteristics and generation of specific spray patterns that cannot be achieved with symmetrical designs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Quantity of substance

If multiple hollow cone nozzle geometries are used to generate overlapping spray cones, then the spray mist volume and droplet surface area are increased, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespray mist volumeVSAvoidnozzle geometry complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple hollow cone nozzle geometries are integrated into a single nozzle body structure, with their spray cones designed to overlap and merge together. This merging approach creates a voluminous, full spray mist with increased droplet surface area while consolidating multiple functions into one unified device rather than requiring separate nozzle components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If smaller nozzle bores (≤ 300 μm) are used to produce smaller droplets, then the spray mist quality is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenozzle bore diameterVSAvoiddroplet size
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Traditional mechanical drilling or punching methods for creating small nozzle bores are replaced with laser processing technology. This substitution enables precise fabrication of nozzle bores with diameters ≤ 300 μm (preferably ≤ 200 μm, particularly preferably ≤ 100 μm) while maintaining manufacturing feasibility and controlling tolerances through the precision of laser processing

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

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 approach allows for the generation of a voluminous, full spray mist with a larger surface area of droplets and adjustable spray patterns, reducing actuation force and enabling the production of geometries like undercuts that are difficult with traditional methods.

Implementation Method 1

In the swirl chamber, a fluid to be atomized is set in rotation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

The hollow cone nozzle geometries can be produced in the nozzle body by laser processing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentEP4230376B1Multibeam hollow cone nozzle
Publication Date: 2024.12.11 AERO PUMP GMBH
  • EP4230376B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4230376B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a nozzle body (1) manufactured by injection molding or 3D printing. The aim of the present invention is to propose a nozzle body (1) that allows for a high degree of design freedom in the generated spray mist. For this purpose, the nozzle body (1) has at least two hollow cone nozzle geometries (2, 7).