Multi-Component Coating Dosing With Alternating Valve Aspiration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-component product dosage systems require multiple pumps and mix components only at the mixer, leading to a complex and inefficient dosing process.
Innovation Solution
A simplified dosage process using a single dosuse pump with multiple component supply channels and valves that alternate to allow simultaneous aspiration of multiple components, promoting efficient mixing by cyclically presenting different components to the pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple pumps are used to dose each component separately, then dosing precision is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple dosing functions into a single pump by integrating multiple component supply lines with individual valves that all feed into the same pump inlet. This merging approach maintains dosing precision through controlled valve operation while reducing device complexity by eliminating the need for multiple separate pumps.
Solution Approach 2:
The single dosing pump is designed to handle multiple component products through its multi-functional inlet system. Each component supply line is equipped with its own valve, allowing the pump to selectively dose different components or combinations of components through a universal dosing mechanism, thereby maintaining precision while simplifying the overall device architecture.
2Reliability
If mixing is performed only at the mixer level, then component separation is maintained during transport, but mixing efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary mixing action within the dosing pump itself, where components are introduced in alternating sequences during the dosing cycle. This preliminary action begins the mixing process earlier in the system, allowing components to start combining before reaching the main mixer, thereby improving overall mixing efficiency while maintaining reliable component separation during transport through controlled valve operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The dosing pump employs periodic action by alternately opening different component supply valves during its dosing cycle. This periodic valve operation introduces different components in sequence into the pump, creating a natural mixing effect through the periodic introduction and compression of multiple components, thereby enhancing mixing efficiency while maintaining component separation during transport.
3Device complexity
If a single pump with multiple valves is used, then device simplicity is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed to automatically manage the multiple valves based on the dosing requirements, reducing manual control complexity. The system self-regulates by sequentially opening and closing valves according to the dosing pump's operational cycle, allowing the device to manage its own control complexity internally while maintaining simplicity in the physical device structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for dosing a multi-component coating product for application, comprising the following steps: - providing a dosing device (10) comprising a dosing pump (14) and respective component product supply channels (16, 18), each component product supply channel (16, 18) being provided with a respective valve (34, 36) having a closed configuration and an open configuration, the outlet (28) being adapted to be connected to a coating product applicator (13), and - aspiration by the dosing pump (14) of a volume during an aspiration phase of the dosing pump (14), at least two of the respective valves (34, 36) being alternately, one after the other, in the open configuration during the aspiration, so that the volume aspirated during said aspiration phase comprises alternately a plurality of component products.The invention further relates to an associated dosing device and application device.