Rotatable Lateral Nozzle for Seam Sealing Cycle Time Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nozzles for applying wax or preservation agents in motor vehicle body component seam sealing and cavity preservation require complex positioning of multi-axis robots, leading to increased cycle times and reduced operating speed due to fixed lateral nozzle openings.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle design with a rotatable nozzle opening on the lateral surface of an elongated lance, allowing the coating agent to be dispensed in different directions, combined with a rotary slide valve and locking mechanism for precise angular control, reduces robot positioning efforts and enhances directional flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed lateral nozzle opening is used in the lance, then the nozzle structure is simple, but the robot positioning complexity increases and cycle time extends
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle opening is made rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the lance, transforming from a fixed to a dynamic configuration. This allows the nozzle opening to be oriented in different directions as needed, reducing the positioning burden on the multi-axis robot and shortening cycle time while maintaining structural simplicity
2Ease of manufacture
If a fixed lateral nozzle opening is used in the lance, then the manufacturing cost is low, but the positioning expenditure of the robot increases
Solution Approach 1:
By enabling the nozzle opening to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the lance, the system adds directional flexibility without significant manufacturing complexity. The rotation mechanism allows the nozzle to adapt to different seam orientations, reducing the complexity of robot positioning paths and calculations
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle, comprises an elongated hollow lance configured for feeding a coating agent through the lance along a longitudinal axis of the lance and at least one nozzle opening configured for dispensing the coating agent. The nozzle opening is arranged in a lateral surface of the lance and dispenses the coating agent sideways with respect to the longitudinal axis of the lance. The nozzle opening is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the lance such that the coating agent can be dispensed in differenct directions according to an angular position of the nozzle opening.