Spray Nozzle Swirl Element Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spray nozzles with a swirl element housed within the nozzle experience reduced fatigue strength and increased susceptibility to vibrations due to the lack of stabilization of flow guide surfaces, leading to mechanical stress and potential failure.

Innovation Solution

The design features a swirl element with flow guide surfaces stabilized by fastening sections connected at the upstream end, which are arranged parallel to the central axis, reducing flow resistance and allowing for a lighter, more compact nozzle structure. The fastening sections are connected to the housing via flanges, eliminating the need for welding or soldering and enhancing corrosion resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the swirl element is housed entirely within the nozzle housing, then the nozzle structure is more compact, but the fatigue strength is reduced and vibrations increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefatigue strengthVSAvoidnozzle structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The swirl element is segmented into two parts: the flow guide surfaces are positioned outside the housing to be stabilized by flow forces, while the fastening sections remain inside the housing for secure attachment. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function optimally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flow guide surfaces are extended into a new spatial dimension by positioning them outside the housing, allowing them to be stabilized by the flow field while the fastening sections maintain their connection to the housing interior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If the flow guide surfaces are not stabilized by fastening sections, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the fatigue strength and vibration resistance are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefatigue strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening sections are separated from the flow guide surfaces, allowing the flow guide surfaces to be simple and easy to manufacture while the fastening sections provide the necessary stabilization and fatigue strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening sections act as intermediaries that connect the flow guide surfaces to the housing, providing stabilization without complicating the manufacturing of the flow guide surfaces themselves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Force

If fastening sections are arranged perpendicular to the central axis, then the structural support is maximized, but the flow resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural supportVSAvoidflow resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening sections are arranged asymmetrically parallel to the central axis rather than perpendicular to it, creating a configuration that minimizes interference with the flow path while still providing adequate structural support through their connection to the housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening sections are repositioned from a perpendicular arrangement to a parallel arrangement along the central axis, changing their spatial orientation to reduce flow resistance while maintaining their fastening function through connections to the housing at strategic locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Weight of moving object

If the housing contains the entire swirl element, then the nozzle is more compact, but the weight increases and mechanical loads on the pipe increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenozzle weightVSAvoidmechanical loads
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The flow guide surfaces are extracted from the housing, allowing the housing to be lighter and smaller while the flow guide surfaces remain positioned outside to perform their function and be stabilized by flow forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The flow guide surfaces are moved to an external position relative to the housing, changing the spatial arrangement to reduce housing volume and weight while maintaining the functional relationship between the flow guide surfaces and the flow field.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This configuration significantly increases the fatigue strength of the swirl element, reduces mechanical loads on the pipe, and makes the nozzle less susceptible to vibrations and external forces, while also simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

a swirl element arranged upstream of the outlet opening and having at least two flow guide surfaces arranged at least in sections obliquely to a central longitudinal axis of the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow guidance:

Implementation Method 2

At least two fastening sections are provided for attaching the swirl element to the housing, which rest against the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical support:

Data Source

PatentEP4484015A1Spray nozzle, arrangement comprising a spray nozzle, and method for producing a spray nozzle
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 LECHLER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4484015A1 patent drawingFigure 1~5
  • EP4484015A1 patent drawingFigure 6~10
  • EP4484015A1 patent drawingFigure 11~15

AI summary

The invention relates to a spray nozzle with a housing for attachment to a cylindrical opening, in particular at the end of a pipe, wherein the housing has an outlet opening, with a swirl element arranged upstream of the outlet opening, having at least two flow guide surfaces arranged at least partially obliquely to a central longitudinal axis of the housing, wherein the swirl element is fixed to the housing, and with at least two fastening sections for attaching the swirl element to the housing, wherein the fastening sections bear against the housing, wherein each of the fastening sections is connected to one of the flow guide surfaces of the swirl element, wherein the connection between fastening section and flow guide surface is arranged in the region of a section of the flow guide surface that is located at the upstream end of the swirl element.