Multi-Plunger Liquid Discharge Device with Interchangeable Units
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing discharge devices with two plungers cannot adjust the interval between discharge ports or change the number of plungers and ports based on specific uses, requiring multiple devices for different applications.
Innovation Solution
A liquid material discharge device with three or more plungers, a plunger drive unit, a valve unit, and a valve drive unit, allowing for adjustable plunger units with different intervals and numbers of plungers, and removable valve units to change the number of discharge ports and intervals, enabling flexible configuration for various applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a discharge device with two plungers is used, then the device structure is simple, but the interval between discharge ports cannot be changed and the number of plungers cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separable components: a plunger unit with multiple plungers that can be detached from the device main body. This segmentation allows the plunger unit to be removed and replaced with another plunger unit having different specifications (different number of plungers or different intervals), thereby enabling adaptability without permanently complicating the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The device main body is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate different plunger units. The device main body serves multiple functions: it can work with various numbers of plungers and various intervals between discharge ports. This multi-functionality allows a single device main body to replace multiple specialized devices, achieving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple discharge devices are prepared for different uses, then the adaptability to different applications is improved, but the device complexity and management become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The device main body is designed as a universal platform that can accept different plunger units with varying configurations (different numbers of plungers, different intervals). This allows a single device main body to perform multiple applications that would otherwise require separate devices, reducing the total number of devices needed while maintaining high adaptability to different uses.
Solution Approach 2:
By separating the device into a reusable device main body and interchangeable plunger units, the system allows different applications to be achieved by swapping plunger units rather than using entirely different devices. This segmentation reduces the number of complete devices needed while maintaining the ability to adapt to different uses.
3Ease of operation
If the plunger unit is detachably attached to the device main body, then the ease of operation for changing configurations is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable attachment mechanism segments the device into removable plunger units and a stationary device main body. This segmentation enables easy operation for changing configurations by allowing simple attachment and detachment of plunger units. The attachment mechanism itself is designed to be straightforward, with the plunger unit being detachably attachable to the device main body, balancing ease of operation with controlled complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A discharge device is provided which includes a plunger unit (20) provided with three or more plungers (31), a plunger drive unit (60) for moving the plunger unit (20) in a reciprocating manner, a valve unit (40) including three or more metering bores (42) into which the plungers (31) are inserted, and further including discharge ports (53) and a liquid material supply path (45) that are communicable with the metering bores (42), the valve unit (40) selectively taking a first position at which the metering bores (42) are communicated with the liquid material supply path (45) and a second position at which the metering bores (42) are communicated with the discharge ports (53), a valve drive unit (70) for switching over the valve unit (40) between the first and second positions, and a device main body (2) in which the plunger drive unit (60), the valve unit (40), and the valve drive unit (70) are arranged, wherein the plunger unit (20) includes a plunger holder (31) for holding the plungers (21) in an aligned state, and the plunger holder (31) is detachably attached to the plunger drive unit (60) such that the number of the discharge ports and an interval therebetween can be changed depending on uses. An application device including the discharge device and an application method using the application device are also provided.