Flexible Adhesive-Bead Nozzle for Reproducible Contour Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The manual application of adhesive beads in wind turbine rotor blade production is labor-intensive and limits reproducibility in terms of geometry and quality.
Innovation Solution
A device with a flexible nozzle body and an actuator system that adjusts the cross section of the outlet opening to control the contour of the adhesive bead, allowing for precise and reproducible application without the need for templates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual application of adhesive beads is used, then flexibility in application is maintained, but production effort increases and reproducibility of geometry and quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables self-service automation where the system applies adhesive beads autonomously without manual intervention. The nozzle body with integrated actuator system automatically controls material extrusion, eliminating the need for manual template-based application while maintaining geometric precision and reducing production effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical application with an automated actuator system that controls the nozzle body. The actuator mechanically adjusts the nozzle geometry and material flow, substituting human hands and templates with a controlled mechanical system that achieves consistent, reproducible adhesive bead application.
2Manufacturing precision
If templates are used to control adhesive bead contour, then geometry precision is improved, but device complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the nozzle body and actuator system into a single integrated unit. The actuator is directly mounted on the nozzle body, combining the material delivery function with the geometry control function in one device, eliminating the need for separate templates and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator system provides dynamic control of the nozzle body geometry during adhesive application. The nozzle can adapt its shape in real-time to achieve precise bead contours, replacing static templates with a dynamically adjustable mechanism that offers greater flexibility and precision.
3Measurement precision
If actuator system directly contacts material, then control precision is improved, but contamination of actuator system occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle body serves as an intermediary component between the actuator system and the adhesive material. The actuator controls the nozzle body's geometry, which then regulates material flow without the actuator itself contacting the material. This intermediary structure prevents contamination while maintaining precise control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the actuator system for control, the nozzle body for material shaping, and the material flow path. This segmentation isolates the actuator from direct material contact while preserving control precision through the nozzle body's geometric manipulation.
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
Reduces production costs and ensures high-quality, reproducible adhesive bead application by eliminating the need for manual templates and preventing contamination of the actuator system.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible nozzle body (1) which has an inner cavity through which a material for the bead of material (9) can flow
Data Source
AI summary
A device for applying a bead of material includes a flexible nozzle body which defines a flow-through volume through which a material can flow for the bead of material, which is partially delimited by a walling formed by the nozzle body, having a feed opening for feeding the material into the flow-through volume. The nozzle body defines a mouth region through which the material can exit from the volume. Furthermore, the device includes an actuator system, which is arranged on the nozzle body and is set up to change a cross section of the mouth region while deforming the nozzle body. The walling forms a barrier between the flow-through volume and the actuator system.