Actuated Flexible Nozzle for Reproducible Bead Contours
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of beads of material, such as adhesive for wind turbine rotor blades, is labor-intensive and lacks reproducibility in geometry and quality due to manual application methods.
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 bead's contour, ensuring reproducible application without contamination of the actuator system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual application methods with templates are used, then flexibility in bead shaping is possible, but production effort increases and reproducibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables self-service automation where the extruder automatically applies material beads without requiring manual template guidance. The system performs the entire bead application process autonomously, eliminating the need for manual intervention in shaping and positioning, thereby reducing production effort while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated extrusion system. The extruder uses controlled material flow through a nozzle to deposit beads, substituting the manual template-based mechanical shaping process with a automated pneumatic or hydraulic-driven extrusion mechanism, improving both productivity and reproducibility
2Ease of operation
If actuator system directly contacts material, then easy control of bead contour is achieved, but actuator contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a nozzle as an intermediary component between the actuator system and the material. The nozzle receives material from the actuator-controlled reservoir and deposits it onto the substrate, preventing direct contact between the actuator and material while maintaining control over bead contour through actuator-driven nozzle positioning and material flow regulation
Solution Approach 2:
The device is segmented into distinct functional modules: the actuator system for control, the nozzle for material delivery, and the substrate for application. This segmentation isolates the actuator from material contamination while preserving operational control, as each component performs its specific function without direct contact with the material
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 application of beads by eliminating the need for manual templates and preventing actuator contamination, while allowing for adjustable bead geometries.
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.