Composition Applicator Tip for Rippled Bead Sealant Application
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aftermarket and downstream repair settings lack efficient methods to apply sealants or adhesives, particularly in replicating the 'rippled' bead pattern achieved by industrial machinery, leading to inconsistent and time-consuming manual processes.
Innovation Solution
The development of composition applicator tips with advanced geometries that can be attached to conventional epoxy nozzles, allowing for controlled expulsion of adhesives or sealants to create a 'rippled' effect by gravity, mimicking the factory-applied seam seals with adjustable height and width of ripples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual application methods are used in aftermarket settings, then equipment cost is reduced, but application quality and consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator tip geometry is designed to copy the ripple pattern created by industrial machinery. The specific geometric features of the tip (including the outlet opening shape and internal geometry) replicate the factory application pattern, allowing manual operators to achieve the same visual appearance and quality as automated equipment without requiring the expensive industrial machinery.
2Loss of time
If manual application methods are used, then time investment is reduced, but application consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator tip is designed to automatically create the ripple pattern through its own geometric structure as the material flows through it. The tip's internal geometry and outlet opening shape cause the material to naturally form ripples during application, eliminating the need for complex manual techniques or multiple passes to achieve consistent results.
3Device complexity
If conventional nozzle geometries are used, then device complexity is reduced, but outflow pattern quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator tip incorporates specific local geometric features at the outlet opening and within the tip structure that are optimized for creating ripple patterns. These localized geometric modifications (including the shape of the outlet opening and internal flow paths) are specifically designed to produce the desired outflow pattern while keeping the rest of the tip structure simple and easy to manufacture.
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
Enables quick, reproducible, and high-quality 'rippled' bead application with minimal effort, closely approximating factory seam seals, reducing the need for extensive training and equipment, while maintaining consistency and appearance.
Implementation Method 1
a portion of the end wall disposed beneath the elongate slot has a height such that the composition falls by gravity a predetermined distance to the surface of the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A composition applicator tip adapted to deliver a “rippled” bead of composition to a surface of a substrate, the composition applicator tip including: a hollow conduit structure defining a pair of opposed openings and adapted to deliver the composition there through, wherein a first opening of the pair of opposed openings is adapted to be coupled to a composition delivery vessel; and an end wall enclosing a second opening of the pair of opposed openings, wherein the end wall defines an elongate slot that is adapted to be disposed substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate in use and expel the composition there through, and wherein a portion of the end wall disposed beneath the elongate slot has a height such that the composition falls by gravity a predetermined distance to the surface of the substrate in use as the composition applicator tip is translated along the surface of the substrate.