Cartridge Valve for Multi-Component Adhesive Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cartridges used for multi-component materials often experience contamination in outlet passages during filling and dispensing, leading to off-ratios between components and reduced mixing quality, with existing solutions failing to effectively prevent contamination and ensure consistent dispensing.

Innovation Solution

A cartridge design featuring a valve integrated into each outlet passage, axially and radially fixed to prevent material from escaping after dispensing, acting as a scraper to prevent cross-contamination during filling, and controlling the flow to maintain the desired mixing ratio by opening and closing based on pressure thresholds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a valve is provided in each outlet passage to prevent contamination and control flow, then mixing quality and dispensing consistency are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixing qualityVSAvoidcartridge structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cartridge is divided into multiple outlet passages, each equipped with its own valve. This segmentation allows independent control of each component flow, ensuring precise mixing ratios while preventing cross-contamination between passages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A valve is introduced as an intermediary element within each outlet passage. The valve acts as a mediator that controls material flow, prevents backflow, and maintains pressure equilibrium, thereby improving dispensing consistency without requiring complex external control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If pressure is applied on multi-component materials to dispense material, then productivity is improved, but material may continue to dispense after pressure release causing contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispensing rateVSAvoidoutlet passage contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The valve is designed to automatically close and prevent backflow before contamination can occur. This preliminary anti-action stops material from continuing to dispense after pressure release, preventing outlet passage contamination while allowing high-speed dispensing during the pressurized phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The valve system is designed to automatically respond to pressure changes without external intervention. When pressure is released, the valve self-closes to prevent backflow and contamination, enabling continuous high-productivity dispensing cycles without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If filling adapter is inserted into outlet passages for front-filling, then ease of manufacture is improved, but material may drip from filling adapter causing contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecartridge fillingVSAvoidoutlet passage contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The valve is positioned and configured before the filling process begins. During front-filling, the valve remains in a controlled state that prevents material from dripping out of the filling adapter, thereby eliminating contamination while maintaining the simplicity of the filling operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Speed

If less viscous component exits cartridge first during dispensing, then fluid flow is improved, but off-ratio occurs between components reducing mixing quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial exit speedVSAvoidmixing ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The valve system dynamically responds to pressure changes during dispensing. By coordinating the opening and closing of valves in each outlet passage, the system maintains pressure equilibrium that ensures both viscous and less viscous components exit at controlled rates, preventing off-ratio conditions while allowing efficient flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The valve effectively minimizes contamination, prevents off-ratios, and ensures consistent dispensing of multi-component materials, enhancing mixing quality and extending the cartridge's lifespan while being cost-effective to produce.

Implementation Method 1

controlling the flow to maintain the desired mixing ratio by opening and closing based on pressure thresholds

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure threshold control: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

acting as a scraper to prevent cross-contamination during filling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScraper action: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3833615B1Cartridge, method of making a cartridge and method of using a cartridge
Publication Date: 2024.04.17 MEDMIX SWITZERLAND AG
  • EP3833615B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3833615B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP3833615B1 patent drawingFigure 2b~2c

AI summary

The present invention relates to a cartridge for an adhesive or a coating, the cartridge comprising a head part (6) having an outlet (12, 13), the head part being integrally formed with a cartridge wall (41, 5'), wherein the outlet has one, two or more outlet passages (20) formed therein, wherein a valve (19) is provided in each one of the one, two or more outlet passages, with the valve being axially and radially fixed in position relative to the head part at a peripheral portion of the valve.