Buffer Tank Supply Circuit for Molding Device Viscosity Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing molding technologies face challenges in simultaneously supplying multiple molds with a reactive polymerizable mixture while maintaining stable feeding conditions, leading to inefficiencies and material loss, as they often require complex and expensive individualized controls for each mold.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a buffer tank and a looped supply circuit that regulates pressure and recycles unused mixture, ensuring consistent viscosity and reducing material loss by using a continuous flow pump and pressure regulators, along with separate storage and distribution systems for reagents to minimize contamination and cleaning solvent use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If individualized controls are provided for each mold to ensure stable feeding, then feeding stability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeeding stabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal control system where a single supply device with common control elements serves multiple molds simultaneously. The pressure regulation and flow control mechanisms are designed to be shared across all molds, eliminating the need for individualized controls while maintaining feeding stability through centralized management of the polymerizable mixture supply.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If individualized controls are provided for each mold to ensure stable feeding, then feeding stability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeeding stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If continuous supply is maintained to prevent material loss, then productivity is improved, but viscosity stability becomes difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous supply capabilityVSAvoidviscosity stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor the polymerizable mixture properties and supply conditions. Pressure sensors and flow meters provide real-time data to control systems that adjust pump operations and valve positions to maintain consistent viscosity and flow characteristics, enabling continuous supply without compromising material stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters such as pump speed, pressure regulation, and flow rate based on real-time monitoring of the polymerizable mixture. By continuously optimizing these parameters, the system maintains viscosity stability while enabling uninterrupted supply to multiple molds, thereby preventing material loss and improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If storage tanks are used to maintain continuous supply, then productivity is improved, but contamination risk and cleaning requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous supply capabilityVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the storage and supply system into separate, dedicated circuits for different polymerizable mixtures. Each mixture has its own isolated storage and delivery path, preventing cross-contamination between different reagents. This segmentation allows continuous supply operation while minimizing contamination risk through physical isolation of different material streams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces intermediary components such as dedicated transfer lines, isolated storage chambers, and controlled access points that mediate between the storage tanks and the molding devices. These intermediaries act as barriers that prevent direct contamination while enabling continuous supply, and they can be easily cleaned or replaced without affecting other parts of the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3215338B1Supply device for a molding device, molding line and method for controlling said molding line

Publication Date: 2023.07.05 ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL(COMPAGNIE GENERALE D OPTIQUE)

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AI summary

The invention relates to a device (1) for supplying at least one molding device (2) with a polymerizable mixture of at least two reactants. According to the invention, said supply device comprises: a buffer tank (10) suitable for receiving said polymerizable mixture via an inlet (101) of said buffer tank, a supply circuit (11), looped with said buffer tank, to convey the polymerizable mixture to an inlet (110) of said at least one molding device and including, beyond said inlet of the molding device, a return pipe (115) connected to the inlet of the buffer tank for sending a portion of the polymerizable mixture back to the buffer tank, wherein said buffer tank is suitable for receiving said polymerizable mixture from said return pipe, and a filling pipe (42) of said buffer tank, connected to said inlet of said buffer tank, separate from the return pipe, wherein said buffer tank is also suitable for receiving said polymerizable mixture or at least one of said reactants from said filling pipe.