Hopper With Window Structures For Uniform Slurry Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for laying floor tiles involve manual application of tile adhesive, which requires high skill and labor, and often results in uneven adhesive distribution due to ground height variations and adhesive fluidity, leading to quality issues like hollowing and depressions.

Innovation Solution

A hopper-based slurry laying device with a slurry mixing chamber, feeding port, and slurry outlet, where the feeding port is opposite to the slurry outlet, and the hopper body is connected to window structures that communicate with the slurry mixing chamber, allowing for uniform distribution and pressure balancing of the tile adhesive.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual spreading method is used, then labor intensity is high and skill requirement is high, but uniformity of adhesive distribution cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniformity of adhesive distributionVSAvoidlabor intensity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical spreading system with an automated hopper-based system that uses gravity and controlled discharge mechanisms to distribute adhesive, eliminating the need for manual labor and ensuring consistent distribution patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The hopper system is designed to automatically control adhesive flow and distribution without requiring operator intervention, with the adhesive self-distributing through controlled openings and the scraping mechanism automatically maintaining uniform thickness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual spreading is used, then operation is simple, but quality issues like hollowing and depressions occur due to uneven adhesive thickness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality of tile layingVSAvoidcomplexity of adhesive distribution system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hopper is divided into multiple independent discharge openings arranged in an array, with each opening controlled by its own scraping mechanism. This segmentation allows precise control of adhesive flow to multiple locations simultaneously, ensuring uniform distribution and preventing quality issues like hollowing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary scraping mechanism that acts between the adhesive discharge and the substrate surface. This intermediary element automatically regulates adhesive thickness and ensures uniform distribution, preventing quality defects while maintaining system reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If adhesive is manually applied, then adaptability to ground variations is poor, but the application process is straightforward

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to ground height variationsVSAvoidcomplexity of hopper and discharge system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hopper system incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities where the discharge openings and scraping mechanisms can adapt to varying ground conditions. The system dynamically responds to ground height variations by adjusting adhesive flow distribution across multiple openings, maintaining consistent adhesive thickness despite substrate irregularities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

The device ensures uniform thickness and distribution of tile adhesive, reducing labor intensity and minimizing issues like hollowing and depressions, thereby improving the quality and efficiency of floor tile laying.

Implementation Method 1

the hopper body is further connected to at least two window structures that communicate with the slurry mixing chamber, allowing for uniform distribution and pressure balancing of the tile adhesive

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure balancing: Pascal's Law

Data Source

PatentUS20250198174A1Hopper, slurry laying device, and floor tile laying robot

Publication Date: 2025.06.19 PARTNER ROBOTICS CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed are a hopper, a slurry laying device, and a floor tile laying robot. The hopper includes a hopper body, a slurry mixing chamber is formed in the hopper body, a feeding port is provided at the top of the slurry mixing chamber, a slurry outlet is provided at the bottom of the slurry mixing chamber, the hopper body is further connected to at least two window structures communicated with the slurry mixing chamber, and an upper end opening of each window structure is arranged higher than a top wall of the slurry mixing chamber.