Nozzle Arrangement for Uniform Adhesive Application
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nozzle arrangements struggle to apply thermoplastic adhesives uniformly to substrates with complex three-dimensional geometries, particularly in edge fold regions, due to the risk of contact with the substrate and difficulty in reaching all regions.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle arrangement featuring a long, slim finger spray nozzle with a small diameter, a two-part structure comprising a rod-shaped nozzle body and a sleeve-shaped nozzle housing, and second fluid channels for shaping air to create a spiral fluid dispensing pattern, allowing for targeted adhesive application without precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional nozzle arrangement is used to apply adhesive to substrates with complex three-dimensional geometries, then the adhesive application process is simple, but the nozzle arrangement contacts the substrate and cannot reach all regions uniformly
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle arrangement is divided into multiple individual nozzles arranged in a specific pattern, allowing each nozzle to independently reach different regions of the substrate. This segmentation enables the system to access complex three-dimensional geometries while maintaining uniform adhesive application across all surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle arrangement is positioned at an angled orientation relative to the substrate surface, transitioning from a conventional perpendicular arrangement. This angular positioning allows the nozzles to reach into edge fold regions and complex geometries that would be inaccessible from a perpendicular position, eliminating contact issues while ensuring complete coverage.
2Ease of operation
If the nozzle arrangement is positioned to reach edge fold regions, then accessibility improves, but the risk of contact with the substrate increases
Solution Approach 1:
By orienting the nozzle arrangement at an angle to the substrate surface rather than perpendicular to it, the system gains access to edge fold regions and complex geometries. This angular positioning creates a geometric relationship where the nozzles can reach into recessed areas without the nozzle body contacting the substrate, ensuring reliable contact-free operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributor head serves as an intermediary component that positions and orients the nozzle arrangement at the optimal angle. This intermediate structure enables the nozzles to reach difficult-to-access regions while maintaining a safe distance from the substrate, preventing contact and ensuring reliable operation throughout the adhesive application process.
3Extent of automation
If a robot arm guides the nozzle arrangement, then automation is achieved, but precise alignment and uniform adhesive application in complex geometries become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle arrangement is designed with a fixed angular orientation mounted on the distributor head, which is attached to the robot arm. This dynamic mounting configuration allows the entire assembly to move with the robot arm while maintaining the optimal angular position relative to the substrate, ensuring uniform adhesive application patterns even in complex geometries without requiring complex alignment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The angularly oriented nozzle arrangement is designed to be universally applicable to various substrate geometries, including flat surfaces and complex three-dimensional forms with edge folds. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for repositioning or realignment when processing different parts, maintaining adhesive pattern uniformity across diverse applications while fully utilizing robotic automation.
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
Enables effective and uniform application of thermoplastic adhesives to complex substrate geometries, including edge fold regions, by deflecting the adhesive jet with shaping air, preventing contact and ensuring consistent coverage.
Implementation Method 1
a spray nozzle configured as a relatively long finger spray nozzle having a relatively small diameter, to thus make it possible for the fluid (in particular the thermoplastic adhesive) to be applied in a targeted manner with the spray nozzle, even to regions of the substrate that are otherwise difficult to access
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle arrangement for applying fluids to a substrate has a connection body that is connectable to a distributor mounting region and has a spray nozzle that is connectable to the connection body. The spray nozzle has a nozzle body that longitudinally extends and has a first fluid channel for the fluid to be applied to the substrate. The spray nozzle has a nozzle housing in which the nozzle body is received. Second fluid channels for shaping air are formed between a lateral surface and inner of the nozzle body. The second fluid channels extend in the direction of a nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body such that, by way of the shaping air dispensed from the second fluid channels at the nozzle outlet region, a spiral-shaped deflection of the fluid dispensed from the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body is created.