Motorized Hot Melt Glue Gun Side-Mounted Feed Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor-driven glue guns face operational interruptions due to the need to wait for the previous hot melt adhesive stick to be fully consumed before adding a new one, which can lead to idle time and increased risk of injury during the adhesive replacement process.

Innovation Solution

A side-mounted feed unit connected to the motor, allowing for early replacement of the hot melt adhesive rod while the previous stick is still being used, along with a ratchet mechanism and guided conveyor system for secure and efficient adhesive rod handling, and a refill indicator for timely notification of when to replace the adhesive.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the motor-driven feed mechanism is concealed far inside the glue gun housing to prevent finger entrapment, then safety is improved, but the operator cannot insert a new hot melt stick until the previous one is fully consumed, causing operational interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefinger entrapment riskVSAvoidoperational continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The feed mechanism is divided into two separate units: a first feed unit concealed inside the housing for safety, and a second feed unit accessible from the outside for easy stick replacement. This segmentation allows each unit to perform its function independently without compromising safety or operational continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second feed unit acts as an intermediary between the operator and the concealed first feed unit. It provides a safe interface for inserting new hot melt sticks, which are then transferred to the first feed unit for actual feeding into the heating element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the feed mechanism is positioned to allow easy access for inserting new hot melt sticks, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of finger entrapment increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestick insertion easeVSAvoidfinger entrapment risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The feed mechanism is divided into two separate units: a first feed unit concealed inside the housing for safety, and a second feed unit accessible from the outside for easy stick replacement. This segmentation allows each unit to perform its function independently without compromising safety or operational continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If the motor drives the feed device directly, then device complexity is reduced, but the feed mechanism must be fully concealed for safety, causing operational interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrive mechanism complexityVSAvoidoperational continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The feed mechanism is divided into two separate units: a first feed unit concealed inside the housing for safety, and a second feed unit accessible from the outside for easy stick replacement. This segmentation allows each unit to perform its function independently without compromising safety or operational continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Ensures continuous operation of the glue gun without idle time between adhesive sticks and reduces the risk of injury during replacement, with the side-mounted feed unit enabling early insertion of a new adhesive rod and the guided system ensuring stable and secure handling.

Implementation Method 1

a heating device for melting at least a portion of a strand-shaped hot melt adhesive rod

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 2

the feed unit has a ratchet mechanism. Specifically, the feed unit has a ratchet coupling. Using this ratchet coupling, the strand-shaped hot melt adhesive rod can be easily pushed forward

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRatchet mechanism: Ratchet

Data Source

PatentEP3680027A1Adhesive gun with motorized drive, method for operating an adhesive gun and its use
Publication Date: 2020.07.15 BUEHNEN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3680027A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3680027A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3680027A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a glue gun, in particular a hot glue gun, for dispensing a flowable adhesive, comprising a heating device (30) for melting at least a portion of a strand-shaped hot melt adhesive rod, a nozzle (21) through which the flowable adhesive can be dispensed, a feed device (32) for feeding the hot melt adhesive rod into the heating device (30), and an operating device (28) for actuating a motor (42), wherein the motor (42) drives the feed device (32), the operability and handling can be improved by arranging a feed unit (46) on a side of the feed device (32) facing away from the heating device (30) for feeding the hot melt adhesive rod into the feed device (32).