Spraying Device With Segmented Nozzle For Droplet Homogeneity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spray nozzles in spraying devices suffer from large dispersion of droplet diameters, making it difficult to achieve homogeneous droplet sizes, which is undesirable for applications like medicinal treatments and cosmetic sprays, as it leads to uneven distribution and potential misuse of the product.

Innovation Solution

A manual spraying device with an elastically deformable front wall that changes shape from flat to convex when fluid is sprayed, allowing for controlled droplet size and distribution, with holes that deviate from the central axis to create a high opening angle aerosol, and holes of specific diameters and inclinations to generate a swirling trajectory.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional spray nozzles with central holes are used, then the device can spray fluid product, but the droplet diameter shows large dispersion and poor homogeneity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedroplet size homogeneityVSAvoidnozzle structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle front wall is segmented into multiple small holes (e.g., 10-1000 holes) instead of a single central hole. Each hole has a diameter between 1-100 μm, and their axes are inclined at angles between 10-60 degrees relative to the central axis, creating uniform droplet sizes through distributed emission points

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holes in the front wall are arranged asymmetrically with their axes inclined at specific angles (10-60 degrees) relative to the central axis. This asymmetric arrangement creates a swirling aerosol pattern that improves droplet distribution homogeneity while maintaining controlled droplet sizes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Manufacturing precision

If high pressure is used to create fine droplets, then droplet size can be reduced, but droplet size control becomes difficult and dispersion increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedroplet size controlVSAvoidpressure dependence
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the nozzle holes (diameter 1-100 μm, inclination angles 10-60 degrees) to achieve droplet size control that is largely independent of operating pressure. This allows consistent droplet sizes across varying pressure conditions (0.5-7 bar) without requiring precise pressure control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Area of stationary object

If droplets of very different sizes are produced, then spray coverage area increases, but application control deteriorates and product distribution becomes uneven

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespray coverage areaVSAvoidapplication control
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle front wall is made elastically deformable and can be deformed by a pusher mechanism to change the orientation of hole axes. In the deformed state, hole axes diverge from the central axis, creating a conical aerosol with high opening angle for wider coverage while maintaining uniform droplet sizes for controlled application

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If the front wall is made elastically deformable to control aerosol shape, then aerosol opening angle can be adjusted, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaerosol shape controlVSAvoidnozzle manufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The front wall is made from an elastically deformable material (such as silicone rubber or flexible polymer) with thickness between 0.05-0.5 mm. This flexible membrane can be deformed by a pusher mechanism to change the aerosol opening angle from a narrow pattern to a wide conical pattern, providing adaptability without complex mechanical structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 device ensures controlled and homogeneous droplet sizes, reducing dependence on pressure differences and improving the shape and distribution of the aerosol, resulting in a more targeted and efficient application of the sprayed product.

Implementation Method 1

the front wall is elastically deformable between a rest state, in which said front wall is flat, and an actuation state when pressurized fluid product is transferred into the inner chamber, in which said front wall has an outward convexity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

when a fluid product is sprayed, the axes of the holes diverge from the central axis, creating an outward divergence, and the fluid product can be sprayed as an aerosol with a high opening angle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure-driven flow through calibrated openings: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP1878507B2Spraying device and use of same
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 ALBEA LE TREPORT
  • EP1878507B2 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1878507B2 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP1878507B2 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Manual spraying device comprising: - a manually actuated push button (9), said push button having a spray nozzle (16), said spray nozzle having an inner chamber (20) adapted to receive a non-gaseous fluid product under pressure and delimited on the outside by a perforated front wall (17), - a reservoir (3) of fluid product to be sprayed, - and a distribution device (4) mechanically actuated by the push button and adapted to transfer fluid product from the reservoir (3) to the inner chamber (20) of the nozzle, the front wall (17) having a plurality of calibrated holes (22) each having a diameter between 1 and 100 µm, the diameter of each hole not differing from an average of the diameters of the different holes by more than 20%.