Dispensing Device Velocity Control for Viscous Materials

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dispensing devices face challenges in maintaining consistent dispensing speed and current levels, particularly when dealing with viscous materials, leading to potential automatic shutdowns and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A dispensing device equipped with a motor, detector, and controller that continuously monitors speed and current, adjusting voltage and pulse length to maintain constant velocity and current within predetermined thresholds, and gradually increases speed and current to target levels over a predetermined time interval.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the motor operates at high speed to maintain productivity, then dispensing efficiency is improved, but the current exceeds the critical threshold causing automatic shutdown

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispensing speedVSAvoidautomatic shutdown
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors motor current and velocity, using this feedback to dynamically adjust the drive signal. When current approaches the critical threshold, the controller reduces voltage or pulse width to prevent shutdown, while maintaining velocity within acceptable ranges to preserve productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The dispensing system transitions from static speed control to dynamic control where both velocity and current are continuously adjusted based on real-time conditions. The controller modifies motor parameters on-the-fly to maintain operation within safe current limits while optimizing dispensing speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the motor speed is increased to improve dispensing efficiency, then productivity is improved, but the material viscosity causes speed variation leading to inconsistent dispensing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispensing efficiencyVSAvoiddispensing consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The detector continuously monitors material dispenser velocity and feeds this information back to the controller. The controller adjusts the drive voltage or pulse width to maintain constant velocity despite variations in material viscosity, ensuring consistent dispensing while operating at high speeds for improved productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes motor control parameters (voltage, pulse width) based on detected velocity and current conditions. This allows the motor to maintain optimal speed through viscous material sections without causing velocity fluctuations that would affect dispensing consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Power

If the voltage pulse length is extended to maintain motor current, then power delivery is improved, but the speed control precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor currentVSAvoidspeed control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses dynamic PWM control where the voltage pulse width is continuously adjusted based on real-time velocity and current feedback. This allows precise control of both power delivery and speed, overcoming the limitation of fixed pulse length approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The controller dynamically modifies both voltage magnitude and pulse width based on operating conditions. By coordinating changes in multiple parameters rather than extending pulse length alone, the system maintains both adequate power delivery and precise speed control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3393678B1Dispensing device
Publication Date: 2021.10.27 MEDMIX SWITZERLAND AG
  • EP3393678B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3393678B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3393678B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A dispensing device includes a drive unit, a detector and a controller. The drive unit is configured to operate a material dispenser. The detector is configured to detect a velocity of the material sensor. The controller is programmed to maintain the material dispenser at a constant velocity based on the velocity detected by the detector.