Spherical Nozzle Unit for Adjustable Flow Direction in Thin Pipes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nozzle devices that allow for free change in fluid outflow direction require large housing and piping structures, making it difficult to mount them in thin pipes due to space and strength constraints, limiting the flexibility in arranging the fluid outflow position.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle device comprising a flow path body with a nozzle unit having a spherical surface and a holding mechanism made of thin plate members with contact holding portions, allowing the nozzle body to be rotatably held and easily adjusted for fluid outflow direction and position without the need for a large housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a spherical body is used to enable free rotation and change in fluid outflow direction, then the ease of operation is improved, but the volume of the housing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a main body and a separate spherical body. The spherical body is rotatably coupled to the main body, allowing independent rotation of the spherical portion. This segmentation enables the housing to maintain a compact size while the spherical body provides the rotational functionality for changing fluid outflow direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical body is coupled to the main body at a position offset from the center of the spherical body. This dimensional arrangement allows the spherical body to rotate about an axis that does not pass through its center, enabling change in fluid outflow direction without requiring the entire housing to be large.
2Ease of operation
If a large housing is used to accommodate the spherical body, then the ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability of mounting positions is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the housing into a compact main body and a rotatable spherical body, the overall footprint is reduced. This allows the nozzle device to be mounted in positions where space is limited, while the spherical body still provides full rotational capability for adjusting fluid outflow direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The offset coupling of the spherical body allows rotation to occur in a manner that does not require radial expansion of the housing. This enables mounting in locations with constrained radial space while maintaining the ability to change fluid outflow direction through rotation of the spherical body.
3Ease of operation
If a large male thread portion is used to secure the spherical body, then the ease of operation is improved, but the ease of manufacture is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The threading interface is localized to only the portion of the spherical body that requires secure attachment. This segmented approach allows the female thread portion to be formed only where needed in the piping or housing, rather than requiring large threaded sections throughout, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining secure attachment and rotational capability.
Data Source
AI summary
In order to enable the outflow direction of a fluid to be changed and to enable the outflow position of the fluid to be freely set, a nozzle device (7) of the present invention comprising: a flow path body that flows or holds a fluid and that has a flow path wall (6); and a nozzle unit (1) including a nozzle body (3) having a spherical surface on an outer periphery thereof and having a fluid passage (3a) formed thereinside, a holding mechanism of the nozzle body (3), and a securing member (4) that fixes the holding mechanism to the flow path wall (6), wherein the holding mechanism is made of a pair of thin plate members (2), each having a contact holding portion (2b) in contact with the spherical surface of the nozzle body (3) and having a flat portion (2a), and the holding mechanism rotatably holds the spherical surface in a state in which the nozzle body (3) is sandwiched by the contact holding portions (2b) of a pair of the thin plate members (2).