Suction Nozzle Drying Device with Bottom Jetting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drying methods for suction nozzles, such as those disclosed in Patent Literature 1, fail to effectively dry suction nozzles of varying sizes, leading to potential moisture retention between the body cylinder and suction pipe, which can result in incorrect expansion and contraction state inspections and potential misclassification as defective nozzles.

Innovation Solution

The nozzle drying device employs multiple drying chambers with varying inner diameters and depths to accommodate different nozzle sizes, with air being jetted from the bottom surface of each chamber to directly reach the suction pipe, ensuring thorough drying and removal of moisture and adhering materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single drying chamber is used for all nozzle sizes, then the device structure is simple, but moisture cannot be effectively removed from nozzles of varying sizes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying effectivenessVSAvoidchamber structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drying device is divided into multiple drying chambers (first, second, and third drying chambers) with different inner diameters and depths. Each chamber is specifically designed to accommodate nozzles of particular size ranges, allowing effective drying of small, medium, and large nozzles respectively. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by creating specialized drying environments for different nozzle sizes while maintaining overall device functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each drying chamber has locally optimized dimensions (inner diameter and depth) matched to specific nozzle size categories. The first drying chamber has smaller dimensions for small nozzles, while the second and third chambers have progressively larger dimensions for medium and large nozzles. This local quality optimization ensures that air jetting from the bottom surface effectively reaches and dries the suction pipe of each nozzle type, resolving the contradiction between drying effectiveness and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If air is jetted from the top of the chamber, then the device structure is simple, but moisture between the body cylinder and suction pipe cannot be effectively removed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture removal efficiencyVSAvoidair jetting configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of jetting air from the top of the drying chamber downward, the invention inverts the air jetting direction by placing the air jetting port at the bottom surface of each drying chamber. This causes air to jet upward from the bottom, directly reaching the suction pipe and effectively removing moisture and adhering materials from between the body cylinder and suction pipe. This inversion resolves the contradiction by improving moisture removal efficiency while maintaining relatively simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple drying chambers with different dimensions are used, then nozzles of various sizes can be dried effectively, but the device becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenozzle size accommodationVSAvoidchamber configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drying device is segmented into multiple drying chambers with progressively different dimensions. The first drying chamber accommodates small nozzles, the second chamber accommodates medium nozzles, and the third chamber accommodates large nozzles. Each chamber's inner diameter and depth are specifically matched to its target nozzle size category, enabling effective drying of nozzles with outer diameters of 1 mm or less, 1.5 mm or less, and 2 mm or less respectively. This segmentation provides adaptability to various nozzle sizes while organizing complexity in a systematic manner.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each drying chamber serves multiple functions: it provides a confined space for nozzle insertion, directs air jetting from the bottom surface, and removes moisture and adhering materials. The chambers collectively provide universal drying capability across different nozzle size categories. This multi-functionality approach increases adaptability while managing device complexity by having each chamber perform comprehensive drying operations for its designated nozzle size range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 approach allows for appropriate drying of suction nozzles of various sizes, preventing moisture retention and ensuring accurate inspections by effectively removing moisture and contaminants, thereby maintaining nozzle functionality and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a jetting port open downward on the bottom surface of the recessed portion; air is jetted from the bottom surface of the recessed portion to the suction nozzle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJet: Jet

Data Source

PatentEP4132252B1Drying device, and nozzle drying method
Publication Date: 2024.09.25 FUJI CORP
  • EP4132252B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4132252B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4132252B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A drying device includes a recessed portion into which a suction nozzle is inserted, an air jetting port that is formed on a bottom surface of the recessed portion, and a control device that jets air from the jetting port toward a suction nozzle inserted into the recessed portion.