Manual Metering Device for Light-Curing Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dosing devices for light-curing materials lack efficient hand-controlled or finger-pressure dispensing capabilities, particularly for materials of varying viscosities, and do not effectively prevent unwanted curing due to light exposure.
Innovation Solution
A set comprising a manually deformable reservoir with a metering device and a housing, where the metering device is detachably connected to the reservoir via a thread and features a sealing mechanism to prevent light exposure, allowing for hand-controlled or pressure-activated dispensing and curing of light-curing materials using an integrated LED lamp.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pump chamber with an elastically deformable bellows is used for dispensing, then materials of different viscosities can be dosed, but the device lacks efficient hand-controlled or finger-pressure dispensing capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: a reservoir for material storage, a dosing device with metering channel for controlled dispensing, and a housing for structural support. This segmentation allows the reservoir to be manually deformable for simple finger-pressure operation while the dosing device maintains precise metering control, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and dosing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
A metering channel serves as an intermediary element between the reservoir and the dispensing outlet. It provides a controlled flow path that enables precise metering of materials while allowing simple manual deformation of the reservoir to drive the dispensing action, eliminating the need for complex pump mechanisms.
2Loss of information
If the reservoir is made transparent for visual monitoring, then filling status can be observed, but unwanted curing due to light exposure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir can be made transparent or translucent and配合 with a closable opening or cap system. The opening can be periodically opened to check filling status and then closed to prevent light exposure, or the reservoir can be rotated to present different surfaces (transparent/opaque) at different times, allowing visual monitoring while preventing unwanted curing.
3Ease of operation
If the reservoir is manually deformable for finger-pressure dispensing, then ease of operation improves, but sealing reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir is designed as a manually deformable container that can be compressed by finger pressure to dispense material. The deformable structure is配合 with sealing devices (such as sealing rings or gaskets) at the connection interfaces to maintain sealing integrity during manual deformation, allowing easy operation while preventing leakage.
4Reliability
If the metering device is made from a harder material than the reservoir, then sealing reliability improves, but the reservoir must be replaceable for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The metering device is designed as a separate, detachable component from the reservoir, connected through a threaded or bayonet-style mounting system. This allows the harder metering device to maintain reliable sealing at the interface while the entire reservoir can be quickly replaced when empty, simplifying maintenance and reducing downtime.
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
Enables precise and efficient dispensing and curing of light-curing materials while preventing unwanted curing due to light exposure, with the ability to replace empty reservoirs, reducing material and storage costs, and ensuring easy maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
for hand-controlled dosing - or for dosing using pressure with the finger - of a light-curing material
Implementation Method 2
using an integrated LED lamp
Implementation Method 3
curing light-curing material
Implementation Method 4
features a sealing mechanism to prevent light exposure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a metering device (100) for metering, in a manually-controlled manner, a light-curing material contained in said metering device (100). This device comprises at least one reservoir (1) which can be deformed at least in some sections thereof and in which said light-curing material is contained, as well as a metering arrangement (3) for applying the light-curing material. The invention also relates to a kit and a method.