Pneumatic Nozzle Structure for Precise Viscous Fluid Dispensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in efficiently distributing and controlling the application of viscous fluids like solder paste and resin on printed circuit boards due to low distribution efficiency, controllability, and a tendency for blockage.

Innovation Solution

A nozzle design with separate airflow and fluid passages, a piston chamber, and a piston that moves to extrude fluid through an airflow outlet, minimizing contact between the piston and fluid to prevent blockage and enhance control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a piston is used to extrude viscous fluid through reciprocating movements, then the fluid can be distributed, but the distribution efficiency is low and blockage tendency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistribution efficiencyVSAvoidblockage tendency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate airflow passage and fluid passage, with the piston only contacting air rather than viscous fluid. This segmentation eliminates the blockage problem while maintaining distribution capability through the separate fluid inlet that allows fluid to enter the airflow passage indirectly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Air acts as an intermediary medium between the piston and the viscous fluid. The piston extrudes air through the airflow passage, and this air flow carries or pushes the fluid out through the fluid inlet, eliminating direct contact between the piston and fluid while maintaining control over fluid distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If direct piston contact with fluid is used, then control is achieved, but blockage occurs and controllability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecontrollabilityVSAvoidblockage tendency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The piston chamber and fluid passage are separately arranged, with the piston chamber containing only air. This segmentation allows the piston to maintain full controllability through air extrusion while eliminating blockage risks by preventing direct contact with viscous fluid.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Air serves as an intermediary that transmits the piston's reciprocating motion control to the fluid without direct contact. The fluid inlet allows the fluid to be controlled by the air flow pattern, maintaining controllability while preventing blockage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If separate airflow and fluid passages are used, then blockage is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblockage preventionVSAvoidpassage configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The airflow passage and fluid passage are merged into a single nozzle body structure, sharing common walls and outlet regions. This integration reduces device complexity compared to completely separate systems while maintaining the reliability benefits of separate fluid and air paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The airflow passage serves dual functions: it allows piston reciprocating motion and simultaneously controls fluid distribution through the fluid inlet. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms, simplifying the overall device structure.

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

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 effectively distributes small volumes of viscous fluids without blockage, ensuring precise and controlled application, suitable for chip-level electronic processing.

Implementation Method 1

the piston moves up and down in the piston passage and the piston chamber and is able to draw in and discharge air through the nozzle passage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReciprocating motion:

Implementation Method 2

the piston...being able to draw in and discharge air through the nozzle passage to press the fluid in the nozzle passage out of the airflow outlet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 3

the airflow exerted from the airflow inlet can press the fluid in the nozzle passage out of the airflow outlet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3883698B1nozzle
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP3883698B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3883698B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3883698B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The present invention provides a nozzle (201), which comprises a nozzle passage (512) and a fluid passage (511), wherein the nozzle passage has an airflow inlet (515) and an airflow outlet (516). The fluid passage has a fluid passage inlet (518) and a fluid passage outlet (514), wherein the fluid passage inlet communicates with a fluid source so that a fluid can enter the fluid passage, and the fluid passage outlet communicates with the nozzle passage so that the fluid can enter the nozzle passage, and the airflow exerted from the airflow inlet can press the fluid in the nozzle passage out of the airflow outlet. The nozzle provided by the present application can distribute a small volume of a viscous fluid and is not apt to get blocked.