Adhesive Nozzle With Limiting Member For Edge Banding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adhesive application devices for edge banding machines are complex to manufacture and may not ensure uniform adhesive application along the entire length of the workpiece, risking insufficient or excessive adhesive application, especially at the upper edge.

Innovation Solution

The adhesive application device features a slit-shaped outlet opening with a displaceable limiting member and a feeler roller to adapt the opening area to the workpiece height, ensuring precise adhesive application up to the upper edge without affecting the top side, and includes a dosing rod with an adjustable axial blind hole for controlled adhesive supply.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a large number of through-holes arranged in a row are used at the mouth opening, then adhesive can be applied to the narrow side, but the device becomes complex to manufacture and clean

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidoutlet opening structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet opening is segmented into multiple through-holes arranged in a row, where each through-hole applies adhesive to a specific section of the narrow side. This segmentation allows the complex structure to be manufactured using standard drilling techniques while maintaining the ability to apply adhesive uniformly across the entire narrow side surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The limiting member serves multiple functions: it delimits the opening area of the mouth opening, couples to the feeler element for scanning workpiece thickness, and provides a reference surface for adhesive application height. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining precise control.

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

2Manufacturing precision

If the mouth opening height is fixed, then manufacturing is simplified, but adhesive application may be insufficient or excessive at varying workpiece heights

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive application precisionVSAvoidadjustable mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The limiting member is designed to be displaceable in the vertical direction, allowing the mouth opening height to be dynamically adjusted according to the workpiece thickness detected by the feeler element. This dynamic adjustment ensures precise adhesive application at the upper edge regardless of workpiece variations, while the simple displacement mechanism keeps the overall device complexity low.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The feeler element provides feedback on the workpiece top position and thickness, which is used to adjust the limiting member position accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that the adhesive application is always precisely controlled relative to the actual workpiece dimensions, preventing both insufficient and excessive adhesive application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If adhesive is applied to cover the entire narrow side including upper edge, then moisture penetration is prevented, but adhesive may affect the top side of the workpiece

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidadhesive contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The limiting member creates a localized adhesive application zone that precisely covers the narrow side surface up to the upper edge without extending onto the top side. The through-holes are positioned and sized to deliver adhesive only where needed, ensuring moisture penetration prevention while avoiding contamination of the top side workpiece surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The feeler element replaces complex mechanical measurement systems by directly sensing the workpiece top position through contact. This simple mechanical sensing method provides accurate feedback for adjusting the adhesive application boundary, ensuring precise control without affecting the top side while maintaining reliable sealing at the narrow side.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Facilitates simpler manufacturing, ensures uniform adhesive coverage along the entire narrow side of the workpiece without excess on the top side, and allows for precise adjustment to varying workpiece heights, preventing insufficient or excessive adhesive application.

Implementation Method 1

The feeler roller grasps the top of the workpiece, rolling on the top of the workpiece. It therefore constantly adapts to the position of the top of the workpiece without sliding along the top of the workpiece and thereby possibly affecting it. Rather, it rolls off the top of the workpiece with a very low coefficient of friction.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling friction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2277631B1Adhesive application device
Publication Date: 2012.11.21 HOLZ HER
  • EP2277631B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2277631B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2277631B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The device has a nozzle body (22) comprising a feed channel for fusible adhesive, where the channel is provided with a mouth slot (38) for applying the adhesive on a narrow side (20) of a plate shaped workpiece (12). A limiting element (44) limits an opening region of the slot in vertical direction, and is coupled with sensing rollers (54, 56) that sense an upper side of the workpiece. The limiting element with a slot limiting section is plunged into the slot, where width of the slot limiting section in transverse direction corresponds to width of the mouth slot.