Centrifugal Spray Head with Vibrating Ejection Edge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current centrifugal spray technologies face limitations in producing monodisperse aerosols with small droplet sizes and are inefficient in terms of cost and frequency range, and they require complex setups with fluidic, electrical, and mechanical connections that hinder compact design and high flow rates.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a rotating body with an ejection surface and vibrational excitation at the ejection edge, where the vibration causes the edge to oscillate relative to the central region, achieving high natural frequencies and allowing for the production of monodisperse aerosols with droplet sizes as small as 0.02 mm, and enabling the simultaneous treatment of aerosols with a gas flow to form powdery products.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If vibration excitation is applied to the rotating body to produce monodisperse aerosols, then droplet size uniformity is improved, but the complexity of the device increases due to additional excitation means

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedroplet size uniformityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies mechanical vibration to the rotating body to produce monodisperse aerosols. The vibration excitation means generate oscillations that uniformize droplet size by affecting the liquid film properties on the rotating surface, enabling precise control over droplet dimensions while maintaining device functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes physical parameters of the rotating body by applying vibration excitation. By adjusting vibration frequency and amplitude, the system controls droplet size distribution, transforming the liquid film characteristics to achieve monodisperse aerosols with controlled particle dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If the rotating body is vibrated to achieve high natural frequencies for small droplet sizes, then droplet size control is improved, but the frequency range and cost efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedroplet size controlVSAvoidfrequency range
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes mechanical vibration to achieve high natural frequencies that enable production of small droplets. The vibration excitation means are designed to operate at frequencies that optimize droplet size control while maintaining adaptability across different operating conditions and material properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic vibration characteristics that allow the system to adapt to different operating requirements. The vibration frequency and amplitude can be adjusted dynamically to optimize performance for different droplet sizes and liquid properties, enhancing the system's versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If complex fluidic, electrical, and mechanical connections are used to achieve high flow rates, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and compact design capability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow rateVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary complex fluidic, electrical, and mechanical connections from the system. By simplifying the overall device architecture while maintaining the core vibration and rotation functions, the system achieves high flow rates with reduced complexity and improved compactness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple functions into the rotating body structure itself. The rotating body serves as both the atomization surface and the vibration carrier, eliminating the need for separate complex connection systems and enabling compact design while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 the production of monodisperse aerosols with precise control over droplet size, increased flow rates, and simplified equipment design, improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of spray processes while maintaining high product homogeneity and stability.

Implementation Method 1

spraying or atomizing by centrifugal ejection of a substance comprising at least one liquid component, placed on a rotating body driven at an appropriate rotation speed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

maintains a vibration in the rotating body, is characterized in that the vibration causes the region of the ejection edge to oscillate relative to a central region of the rotating body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP2257380B1Spray method and head, associated method and device for producing a pulverulent product
Publication Date: 2013.07.10 SPRAINNOV
  • EP2257380B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2257380B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP2257380B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The spray head (104) of the apparatus comprises a motor (16) of which the vertical hollow shaft (12) is secured, at its lower end, to a centrifugal ejection disc (11). The substance to be sprayed, coming from a tank (106) via a metering pump (107), passes through the hollow shaft (12) to expand as a layer on the lower surface of the disc forming a centrifugal ejection face. Means are provided to vibrate the peripheral edge of the disc and thus control the spraying of the substance, in particular its particle size. A fan (124) and a distributor (109) form a gaseous treatment flow (111) which meets the droplets and entrains them to a collection zone (112), thereby solidifying them by drying or coagulation. Typically, the substance is a mixture of at least one active ingredient and a microencapsulation component. Use in particular for obtaining very fine and/or very homogeneous particle sizes, for manufacturing powders intended for agro-food, nutritional, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and fine chemistry applications. The head can be used separately for producing aerosols.