Vacuum-Assisted Nozzle Reduces Fluid Stringing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid dispensing technologies face challenges with high-viscosity fluids causing stringing and dripping, which limits filling speed, and lower-viscosity fluids can splash, leading to sealing issues, while adding valves increases weight and stress on machinery and may not fully prevent stringing and dripping.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum-assisted nozzle apparatus with a fluid flow manifold and vacuum manifold system that uses a vacuum conduit to suction residual fluid, reducing stringing and dripping by controlling fluid flow and vacuum application during the filling process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If filling speed is increased to improve productivity, then more compartments can be filled simultaneously, but stringing and dripping occur with high-viscosity fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful residual fluid from the nozzle system by introducing a vacuum conduit that actively removes fluid remaining in the nozzle after dispensing. This prevents the fluid from forming strings or drips that would contaminate subsequent compartments, thereby enabling faster filling speeds without the harmful effects of stringing.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum is applied during the filling process to proactively prevent stringing before it occurs. By continuously removing residual fluid during and immediately after dispensing, the system prevents the formation of hanging filaments that would otherwise limit filling speed.
2Manufacturing precision
If valves are added to quickly shut off fluid flow and reduce stringing, then filling precision improves, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding complex valve mechanisms to control fluid flow, the patent removes the problem of residual fluid through vacuum extraction. This eliminates the need for complex shut-off valves while achieving precise filling control through active removal of excess fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical valve system with a vacuum-based fluid removal system. Instead of using mechanical components to shut off flow, the system uses vacuum pressure to actively draw out residual fluid, simplifying the overall device architecture while maintaining filling precision.
3Productivity
If more nozzles are crowded closely together to increase filling capacity, then productivity improves, but space requirements are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing vacuum-assisted fluid removal at each nozzle, the system eliminates stringing and dripping that would otherwise require greater spacing between nozzles to prevent contamination. This allows nozzles to be positioned closer together, increasing the number of compartments that can be filled simultaneously within a compact area.
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 vacuum-assisted nozzle apparatus significantly reduces the time to fill compartments, increasing productivity by minimizing stringing and dripping, allowing for faster and more efficient filling of compartments with minimal residue, thereby enhancing manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum conduit (50) in fluid communication with a vacuum source (55)... applying a vacuum while the fluid is dispensed
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
An apparatus having a nozzle (10), a fluid flow conduit (30), a fluid flow discharge opening, a fluid flow discharge opening area, a fluid flow valve (35), a vacuum source (55), a vacuum conduit (50), a vacuum opening, a vacuum valve (70), and a vacuum opening area wherein the vacuum opening is spatially proximate to the fluid flow discharge opening, the vacuum opening area to the fluid flow discharge opening area has a ratio of less than or equal to 1, and the fluid flow valve and vacuum valve are coupled.