Granular Dispensing Bar With Pneumatic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for dispensing granular or powder materials for ceramic tile decoration lack precise control over the amount and position of the material deposited, resulting in imprecise shading or veining.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing bar comprising multiple dispensing devices with suction means and solenoid valves, allowing for precise control of material dispensing through quick activation/deactivation cycles, mimicking the precision of ink jet printers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If gravity-based dispensing devices with closure means are used, then the device structure is simple, but the precision of material deposition amount and position deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical gravity-based closure system with a pneumatic control system. Air jets are used to fluidize the granular material and control its flow through the dispensing channel, enabling precise control of material deposition amount and position while maintaining relatively simple device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and flow parameters of the granular material by introducing air flow. The air jet modifies the material's fluidity and flow characteristics, allowing precise control over when and how much material is deposited, thereby achieving high deposition precision
2Productivity
If multiple dispensing devices are arranged in a dispensing bar, then the productivity and decoration capability are improved, but the device complexity and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple dispensing devices into a single integrated dispensing bar structure. All devices share common components including the reservoir, pneumatic control system, and support structure, which reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high productivity and decoration capability
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing bar is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple dispensing devices with identical or different functionalities. The standardized modular design allows easy configuration and maintenance, where each device can be independently serviced while the overall structure remains compact and efficient
3Manufacturing precision
If quick activation/deactivation cycles are used for precise material dispensing, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the loss of time due to frequent pneumatic control operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic activation and deactivation of air jets to control material flow in precise cycles. This periodic pneumatic action enables accurate dispensing of granular material by controlling the timing and duration of air jet activation, achieving high dispensing precision through rapid on-off cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic systems with rapidly responsive solenoid valves to control air flow to the dispensing channels. The pneumatic system's fast response time allows quick activation and deactivation cycles, enabling precise material dispensing without significant time loss due to the inherent speed of pneumatic actuation
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 the creation of well-defined, precise decorations with superior quality compared to previous methods, achieving precise control over the deposition of granular or powder materials.
Implementation Method 1
a suction means, provided to retain, upon command, at least a part of granular or powder material inside the dispensing channel, so as to form an accumulation that obstructs the dispensing channel and prevents the flow of material
Implementation Method 2
the deactivation of the suction means, possibly accompanied by an auxiliary jet of air to fluidise the material, results in the dispensing of the material
Data Source
AI summary
Dispensing bar for a product, such as a granular or powder material, that includes a plurality of dispensing devices, each having a dispensing channel, provided with an inlet opening for the product and an outlet opening through which the product can be dispensed, a reservoir, placed in communication with the dispensing devices that contains the product, wherein the dispensing devices are distributed along an alignment direction, along at least one row, so as to define a deposition front parallel to the alignment direction such that it comprises a support structure, provided with a first portion, with which the reservoir is associated, and a second portion, with which the dispensing devices and the suction means are associated.