Needle Valve Dispensing Head With Rotary Groove Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for applying viscous materials, such as adhesives or thermal pastes, require high-energy motors to rapidly open and close valves for sequential material application, leading to high energy consumption and large size due to the need for fast acceleration and braking of disk-based valve mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A device with an actuating element that rotates to engage pins in a self-contained guide groove, allowing the valve needle to move axially and open/close the application channel efficiently, eliminating the need for constant acceleration and deceleration, and using a less powerful motor to control the dispensing frequency by varying the rotation speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a disk-based valve mechanism is used to rapidly open and close the application channel, then the dispensing frequency is improved, but the motor power and energy consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a motor to directly accelerate and brake a closing body (valve disk) for rapid opening and closing, the invention inverts the approach by using a rotating actuating element with a guide groove that converts continuous rotation into reciprocating motion of the valve needle. This eliminates the need for frequent acceleration and deceleration, significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining high dispensing frequency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a dynamic mechanism where the actuating element rotates continuously and uses a curved guide groove to dynamically convert rotational motion into reciprocating linear motion of the valve needle. This dynamic conversion allows the valve to open and close rapidly without requiring the motor to repeatedly accelerate and brake, thus improving productivity while reducing energy consumption.
2Productivity
If a disk-based valve mechanism is used for rapid opening and closing, then the dispensing frequency is improved, but the device size increases due to powerful motors
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the conventional approach of using a large motor to directly drive valve opening and closing with an inverted mechanism where a small motor rotates an actuating element, and the guide groove geometry converts this rotation into reciprocating valve needle motion. This inversion allows high dispensing frequency to be achieved with a much smaller motor, reducing device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a guide groove with a specific curved profile that transforms the rotational motion (one dimension) of the actuating element into reciprocating linear motion (another dimension) of the valve needle. This dimensional transformation enables the use of a compact rotating mechanism instead of a large linear actuator, reducing overall device size while maintaining high productivity.
3Ease of operation
If a spindle drive is used to rotate the valve needle in different directions, then the valve can be opened and closed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of rotation and reciprocating motion into a single integrated mechanism. The actuating element rotates continuously while the guide groove geometry simultaneously controls the reciprocating motion of the valve needle. This merging eliminates the need for separate mechanisms for rotation and reciprocation, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating element serves multiple functions: it rotates to control the timing of valve opening and closing, its guide groove converts rotation into reciprocating motion, and it provides mechanical guidance for the valve needle. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
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 solution reduces energy consumption and size while allowing precise control over the dispensing frequency and bead thickness, enabling faster and more efficient application of viscous materials with reduced motor requirements.
Implementation Method 1
an actuating element (28) which can be rotated in the housing (12) about an axis of rotation (30), which extends parallel to a longitudinal direction (20) in which the valve needle (22) of the needle valve (18) can be displaced with respect to the housing (12), that the actuating element (28) has, in its radial lateral surface (32), a circumferential guide groove (34) which is curved in the axial direction (20) and into which at least one pin (36) extending in the radial direction engages
Data Source
Figure 1a~2b
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (10) for applying a viscous material to workpieces, comprising a housing (12), an application channel (14) extending in the housing (12) up to an outlet opening (16), and a needle valve (18) for opening and closing the application channel (14) at a valve seat (24). According to the invention, an actuating element (28) is mounted in the housing (12) for rotation about an axis of rotation (30), the axis of rotation (30) extending parallel to a longitudinal direction (20) in which the valve needle (22) of the needle valve (18) can be moved relative to the housing (12), the actuating element (28) has, in the radial lateral surface (32) thereof, a guide groove (34), which extends circumferentially all around and is curved in the axial direction (20) and in which at least one pin (36) extending in the radial direction engages, and the valve needle (22) is connected to the actuating element (28) or the at least one pin (36) in such a way that rotation of the actuating element (28) about the axis of rotation (30) causes movement of the valve needle (22) relative to the housing (12) in the longitudinal direction (20).