Hot Melt Applicator Nozzle Clamping and Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing applicator apparatuses for hot melt adhesive application require complex and costly format changes, as well as suffer from uneven adhesive thickness due to temperature irregularities, necessitating a solution for simplified nozzle arrangement installation and improved temperature control.

Innovation Solution

A clamping device with screwthreaded bores and clamping means that allows for easy nozzle arrangement installation and removal without screws, combined with increased heating output at the ends of the applicator to maintain a uniform temperature profile.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If screw means are used to fix the nozzle arrangement to the main body, then a secure connection is achieved, but format changes become complicated and expensive requiring complete release of all fixing screws

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidformat change simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing system is segmented into multiple independent clamping means (first and second clamping means) that can be independently operated. This allows partial release or adjustment without requiring complete disassembly of the entire nozzle arrangement, facilitating easier format changes while maintaining secure connection during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping means are designed to be dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The clamping force can be modified by adjusting the clamping means, allowing the system to transition between a secured state during operation and a easily removable state during format changes, eliminating the need to completely release all fixing screws.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If multiple fixing screws are used to secure the nozzle arrangement, then reliable fixing is achieved, but the risk of losing screws and dropping them into equipment increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing reliabilityVSAvoidscrew loss and dropping risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the fastening function from traditional screw means and transfers it to clamping means that integrate the fixing mechanism into the applicator head structure itself. The clamping means can be secured to the applicator head without requiring separate screws that could be lost, eliminating the harmful effect of screw loss and dropping into equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Temperature

If heating devices are provided in the main body to maintain temperature, then excessive temperature drop is avoided, but temperature irregularities cause uneven hot melt adhesive thickness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature maintenanceVSAvoidadhesive thickness uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system is designed with local quality variation, providing different heating intensities at different locations. The ends of the applicator head receive increased heating output compared to the center, compensating for greater heat loss at the ends. This localized adjustment of heating quality ensures uniform temperature distribution and consequently uniform adhesive thickness throughout the application width.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The heating parameters are changed to compensate for temperature irregularities. By increasing the heating output at the ends of the applicator head, the temperature parameter is adjusted locally to maintain uniformity across the entire adhesive application area, preventing variations in adhesive thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Simplifies format changes by eliminating screw-related complications and ensures uniform adhesive thickness through stable temperature distribution, reducing operational costs and improving application consistency.

Implementation Method 1

increased heating output at the ends of the applicator to maintain a uniform temperature profile

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2289633B1Applicator apparatus for the application of liquid material
Publication Date: 2019.06.26 NORDSON CORP
  • EP2289633B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2289633B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2289633B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention refers to an Applicator apparatus (1, 201, 301) for the surface application of liquid material, in particular hot melt adhesive, comprising a main body (2, 202, 302, 402), and a nozzle arrangement (4, 204, 304, 404) having at least one slot applicator nozzle for the delivery of the liquid material. According to the invention a clamping device for fixing the nozzle arrangement (4, 204, 304, 404) to the main body (2, 202, 302, 402) is comprised.