Treatment Device Nozzle Actuation for Workpiece Geometry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional treatment devices for workpieces are inefficient in resource utilization and fail to effectively match the treatment process with the geometry of the workpieces, leading to suboptimal treatment outcomes.

Innovation Solution

The treatment device features independently actuated nozzle units, allowing for adjustable angles of incidence of the treatment medium jets, enabling precise alignment with the workpiece geometry through the use of multiple nozzle actuators, which can be pivoted or moved to optimize the treatment process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional treatment devices use fixed or collectively actuated nozzles, then the device structure is simple, but the treatment effectiveness is reduced due to inability to match workpiece geometry

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidnozzle actuation system
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle device is divided into multiple independent nozzle units, each with its own actuator. This segmentation allows each nozzle to be independently controlled to match different areas of the workpiece geometry, thereby improving treatment effectiveness while distributing the complexity across modular units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The nozzles are made dynamically adjustable through individual actuators that can change the angle of incidence and direction of treatment medium jets in real-time. This dynamic adaptability enables the system to match varying workpiece geometries during the treatment process, resolving the contradiction between treatment precision and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If individually actuated nozzle units are used to match workpiece geometry, then treatment effectiveness is enhanced, but the number of actuators and system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkpiece geometry matchingVSAvoidnumber of actuators
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each nozzle unit is designed as a universal module that can be independently actuated to treat different areas of various workpiece geometries. The standardized nozzle unit design with integrated actuators allows the same modular component to adapt to multiple workpiece types, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high versatility.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system achieves geometry matching by changing parameters such as the angle of incidence and direction of the treatment medium jets through actuator control. This parameter-based adjustment allows a single nozzle unit design to adapt to different workpiece geometries without requiring physically different nozzle configurations, thereby reducing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If multiple independently actuated nozzles are used to optimize treatment angles, then resource utilization improves, but the device complexity and control requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidcontrol system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is designed to autonomously coordinate the multiple actuators and nozzles based on pre-programmed treatment parameters. The system automatically adjusts each nozzle's angle and direction to optimize resource utilization, reducing the need for complex manual control while improving productivity through automated resource management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the treatment process and automatically adjust actuator positions to optimize resource utilization. This feedback-based control allows the system to maintain high productivity by dynamically allocating treatment resources based on real-time conditions, thereby managing complexity through intelligent automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2156905B1Treatment device for workpieces
Publication Date: 2012.06.27 MAFAC ERNST SCHWARZ & MASCHFAB
  • EP2156905B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2156905B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2156905B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The device has a treatment chamber (1), and a workpiece carrier (2) arranged in the chamber. A nozzle device (4) is arranged in the treatment chamber and includes a set of nozzle units (5). Each nozzle unit exhibit a nozzle and a nozzle actuator e.g. piezo-electric actuator, that is coupled to the nozzle. The workpiece carrier is rotatable in the treatment chamber and/or the nozzle units are movable around the workpiece carrier. The nozzle device has a nozzle pipe (41), where the nozzle units are arranged at the nozzle pipe. The nozzle units are arranged at a wall of the treatment chamber.