Nozzle Plate Mixing Element for Highly Viscous Liquid Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid discharge apparatuses, such as those described in PTL 1, are inadequate for thoroughly mixing highly viscous liquids like adhesives or paints comprising two-component curable materials, as they rely solely on mixing in a damper which may not achieve sufficient mixing.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle plate with a mixing element freely detachably provided at the liquid channel, allowing for immediate mixing of liquids before discharge, and a configuration that includes a reservoir, discharge channel, and joint part for connection to a liquid supply unit, with separable members facilitating easy cleaning and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If liquids are introduced into a damper for mixing as in conventional print heads, then the structure is simple, but highly viscous liquids cannot be sufficiently mixed
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle plate is divided into multiple members (first member, second member, third member) that can be freely separated from each other. The mixing element is provided in the liquid channel formed by these segmented members, allowing the mixing function to be integrated while maintaining ease of assembly and disassembly for cleaning purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
A mixing element is introduced as an intermediary component within the liquid channel to enhance mixing of highly viscous liquids. This mixing element acts as a mediator between the liquid flow and the channel walls, creating sufficient mixing action without requiring a completely different mixing mechanism.
2Reliability
If a mixing element is provided in the liquid channel, then mixing of highly viscous liquids is sufficient, but cleaning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle plate is segmented into multiple members that can be freely separated. The mixing element is integrated into one of these members, allowing the entire assembly to be disassembled for cleaning. This segmentation enables access to previously hard-to-reach areas including the mixing element and liquid channel without requiring complete disassembly of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle plate members are designed with dynamic separability, allowing them to be easily assembled and disassembled. This dynamic configuration enables the system to transition between a closed operational state (where mixing occurs) and an open maintenance state (where cleaning is facilitated), resolving the contradiction between mixing effectiveness and cleaning ease.
3Ease of repair
If the nozzle plate members are freely separable, then cleaning and maintenance are easy, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle plate is divided into a finite number of discrete members (first member, second member, third member) that can be freely separated. This segmentation provides modular architecture that simplifies maintenance while controlling complexity through standardized interfaces and assembly relationships between the members.
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
The nozzle plate effectively mixes liquids, preventing viscosity increase during discharge and enabling efficient operation with easy cleaning, particularly suitable for highly viscous materials like two-component adhesives.
Implementation Method 1
a mixing element for mixing the liquid is freely detachably provided at the liquid channel
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a nozzle plate and a liquid discharge apparatus capable of sufficiently mixing a liquid. A nozzle plate 20 comprises a reservoir 21 for storing a liquid, a liquid channel 23 for introducing a liquid supplied from a liquid supply unit 100 into the reservoir, and a discharge channel 22c for discharging the liquid stored in the reservoir 21, wherein a mixing element 26 for mixing the liquid is freely detachably provided at the liquid channel 23.