Spray Nozzle Assembly for Complex 3D Adhesive Application
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nozzle arrangements struggle to apply thermoplastic adhesives efficiently to substrates with complex three-dimensional geometries, especially when the distribution head moves relative to the substrate, leading to issues with reaching all areas and maintaining consistent application.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle arrangement with a two-part structure, featuring a long, thin finger spray nozzle with a stab-shaped nozzle body and a nozzle housing, which includes a first fluid channel for the adhesive and multiple second fluid channels for shaping air. This design allows for the formation of a full cone spray pattern, enabling targeted application even on complex geometries without requiring precise alignment with the substrate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional outlet nozzle with a right-angle main flow axis is used, then the adhesive can be applied to flat substrates, but the nozzle arrangement cannot reach all areas of substrates with complex three-dimensional geometries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple nozzles arranged in a specific configuration that can be selectively activated or deactivated based on the substrate geometry being processed. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain reliable adhesive application across varying three-dimensional surfaces by adjusting which nozzles are active at any given time.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive application system is divided into multiple separate nozzles rather than using a single conventional outlet nozzle. Each nozzle can be independently controlled and positioned, allowing the system to segment the application task across multiple points to reach complex geometries while maintaining consistent application quality at each location.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the distributor head moves relative to the substrate to access complex geometries, then more areas can be reached, but contact between the distributor head and substrate may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges nozzles in a three-dimensional configuration with different orientations and positions, allowing adhesive application from multiple angles and distances. This spatial distribution enables the system to access complex substrate geometries without requiring the distributor head to physically contact the substrate, as nozzles can reach into recesses and contours from various positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple nozzles act as intermediaries between the distributor head and the substrate surface. By distributing the adhesive delivery function across multiple nozzle elements, the system can maintain the required spacing between the distributor head and substrate while still achieving complete coverage of complex geometries through the collective action of the nozzles.
3Device complexity
If a single outlet nozzle is used, then the device structure is simple, but the spray pattern cannot provide consistent atomization on folded or complex areas
Solution Approach 1:
The single outlet nozzle is replaced with multiple nozzles, each capable of producing its own spray pattern. This segmentation allows each nozzle to be optimized for consistent atomization on specific portions of the substrate, including folded and complex areas, while the overall system maintains a relatively simple structure through the use of standard nozzle components.
Solution Approach 2:
Different nozzles in the arrangement can be positioned and oriented to provide locally optimized spray patterns for different areas of the substrate. This allows each nozzle to deliver consistent atomization to its specific target zone, particularly addressing the needs of folded or complex areas that require precise local control over adhesive application quality.
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 arrangement ensures consistent and efficient application of thermoplastic adhesives to substrates with complex geometries, maintaining effective atomization and coverage regardless of the substrate's shape or movement of the distribution head.
Implementation Method 1
multiple second fluid channels (10) for forming air, which supply the forming air to the end nozzle outlet region (11) in order to atomize the fluid (20)
Implementation Method 2
the second fluid channels (10) open into a conical or cone-shaped gap space (16) at an end nozzle outlet area (11) of the spray nozzle (3), wherein the forming air emitted by the second fluid channels (10) is deflected in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening (8)
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a nozzle arrangement (1) for applying fluids (2), in particular thermoplastic adhesives, to a substrate (21), wherein the nozzle arrangement (1) has a spray nozzle (3), wherein the spray nozzle (3) has a nozzle body (5) extending in the longitudinal direction (4) of the spray nozzle (3) with a first fluid channel (6) extending in particular coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body (5) for the fluid (20) to be applied to the substrate (21), and wherein the spray nozzle (3) further has a nozzle housing (7) in which the nozzle body (5) is received at least partially, wherein a plurality of second fluid channels (10) for forming air are formed at least partially between a lateral surface of the nozzle body (5) and an inner surface of the nozzle housing (7).According to the invention, it is particularly provided that the second fluid channels (10) extend - over their entire length - in the longitudinal direction (4) of the spray nozzle (3) parallel to the first fluid channel (5) and open into a conical or cone-shaped gap (16) at an end nozzle outlet area (11) of the spray nozzle (3), wherein the conical or cone-shaped gap (16) preferably tapers uniformly in the direction of a nozzle outlet opening (8) of the nozzle body (5).