Ejection Device With Switching Portion For Continuous Material Dispensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ejection devices for materials with fluidity lack efficiency in switching between multiple material sources, leading to inconsistencies and defects in the molding process.

Innovation Solution

The ejection device incorporates a filling portion with multiple spaces filled with a material dispersion, an ejection portion with a switching mechanism that alternates between spaces, and a controller that manages the pistons and switching portion to ensure continuous and efficient material ejection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single material source is used in the ejection device, then the device structure is simple, but the ejection efficiency and productivity are reduced due to frequent stopping and refilling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveejection efficiencyVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filling portion is divided into multiple independent spaces (first space, second space, etc.), each capable of storing material separately. This segmentation allows one space to be ejected while another is being refilled, enabling continuous operation and improving productivity without requiring complete system shutdown for refilling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The switching portion enables continuous ejection by alternating between multiple material spaces. While one space is being emptied through the ejection path, the switching mechanism allows another filled space to take over, eliminating idle time and maintaining continuous useful action, thus improving ejection efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Productivity

If multiple material spaces are introduced to improve ejection efficiency, then productivity increases, but the switching mechanism adds device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveejection efficiencyVSAvoidswitching mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The switching portion acts as an intermediary mechanism that manages the alternation between multiple material spaces. It provides a controlled interface for switching communication paths between the ejection path and different filled spaces, enabling efficient material supply while maintaining manageable device complexity through a dedicated switching component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The switching portion serves multiple functions: it controls communication between the ejection path and different material spaces, manages the alternation sequence, and ensures continuous material supply. This multi-functionality consolidates several control operations into a single mechanism, improving productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of time

If material is ejected from a single space without switching, then the device operation is simple, but time is lost during refilling operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefilling timeVSAvoidswitching mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple material spaces are pre-filled with material before the ejection process begins. The switching portion is pre-configured to alternate between these filled spaces, allowing the ejection process to continue without interruption while refilling operations are performed in advance on alternate spaces, thereby minimizing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The switching mechanism enables continuous ejection by maintaining an always-available filled space. While one space is being used for ejection, another space can be refilled, ensuring that the ejection path never experiences idle time due to material depletion, thus reducing overall refilling time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Productivity

If a switching portion is added to alternate between material spaces, then productivity improves, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveejection efficiencyVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device structure is segmented into distinct functional modules: multiple independent material spaces, a switching portion for controlling communication paths, and an ejection path. This modular segmentation allows the switching mechanism to be integrated systematically, improving productivity while managing device complexity through organized structural division.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The switching portion serves as an intermediary component that mediates between the multiple material spaces and the ejection path. By introducing this dedicated switching mechanism, the system achieves efficient alternation between spaces and continuous ejection, improving productivity while containing device complexity within a specific functional module rather than distributing complexity throughout the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution enables continuous and efficient ejection of materials by alternating between multiple material sources, reducing molding defects and improving time efficiency in the molding process.

Implementation Method 1

a first piston that presses the material filled in the first space; a second piston that presses the material filled in the second space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP4566784A1Ejection device, molding device, and ejection method
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 KYOCERA CORP
  • EP4566784A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4566784A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4566784A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

To provide an ejection device having an increased ejection amount per unit time of a material having fluidity. The ejection device includes: a filling portion including a first space and a second space that are filled with a material; an ejection portion including an ejection path configured to communicate with the first space or the second space; and a switching portion including a communication path through which the first end of the ejection path communicates with the first space or the second space, wherein the switching portion switches between a first state where, through the communication path, the first space communicates with the ejection path, and a second state where, through the communication path, the second space communicates with the ejection path.