Multi-Outlet Viscous Applicator With Nested Cylinder Layout
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for applying viscous materials, such as adhesives or paints, are wide due to the side-by-side arrangement of cylinders actuating valve needles, which increases with the number of material outlets, making them inefficient in terms of space usage.
Innovation Solution
Arranging the cylinders in a row instead of side by side, with piston rods sealed through each other's chambers, and using a restoring element for fail-safe operation, allows for a narrower design and precise piston position monitoring via magnetic sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cylinders are arranged side by side to actuate valve needles, then each valve needle can be actuated independently, but the device width increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by arranging cylinders in a series where piston rods pass through the piston chambers of subsequent cylinders. The first cylinder's piston rod passes through the second cylinder's chamber, the second's passes through the third's, and so on, creating a nested configuration that reduces device width while maintaining independent actuation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a side-by-side (lateral) arrangement to a series arrangement along the longitudinal axis. By reorienting the cylinder configuration from horizontal to longitudinal placement, the device achieves compact width while preserving functional independence through the series arrangement and individual fluid supply lines
2Length of stationary object
If cylinders are arranged in a series to reduce device width, then device width decreases, but piston rods must pass through multiple piston chambers requiring sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The nested arrangement of piston rods through sequential piston chambers creates a compact structure. Each piston rod passes through the piston chamber of the next cylinder in series, requiring sealing at each passage point but enabling the width-reduced configuration
Solution Approach 2:
Sealing elements act as intermediaries between the piston rods and piston chambers. These seals enable the piston rods to pass through the fluid-containing chambers while preventing leakage, facilitating the series arrangement without compromising system integrity
3Measurement precision
If magnetic sensors are used to monitor piston position, then position detection precision improves, but the system requires ferromagnetic materials and additional sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical position indication methods with magnetic field-based detection. Magnetic sensors detect the position of ferromagnetic elements on pistons through non-contact measurement, eliminating the need for mechanical linkages or visual indicators while achieving precise position monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
Ferromagnetic elements serve as intermediaries between the piston mechanical movement and the magnetic sensor detection. These elements convert the piston's physical position into a detectable magnetic field variation, enabling precise non-contact measurement
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
This configuration reduces the device's width, enabling more efficient use of space and precise control of valve needles, enhancing the application of viscous materials while maintaining a fail-safe function.
Implementation Method 1
each piston, and preferably each piston, is at least partially made of ferromagnetic material or is rigidly connected to a ferromagnetic element, and a magnetic sensor for determining the position of the respective piston in the piston chamber is assigned to the respective cylinder
Implementation Method 2
in whose piston chamber a piston is movable by pressurization by means of a fluid
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to apparatus (10) for applying viscous material to workpieces, which apparatus has at least two material outlets, wherein a needle valve is assigned to each material outlet, the valve needle (14) of which being able to close the respective material outlet on a valve seat, and wherein each valve needle (14) is assigned a cylinder (16a, 16b, 16c), in the piston chamber (18) of which a piston (20) can be moved by the application of pressure by means of a fluid, and which cylinder has a piston rod (24) for impingement on the respective valve needle (14), said piston rod being connected to the piston (20), being guided out of the piston chamber (18) on an end face (22) facing the valve seats and extending in a longitudinal direction (26). According to the invention, the cylinders (16a, 16b, 16c) are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction (26) and the piston rod (24) of at least one of the cylinders (16b, 16c) is guided in a sealed manner through the piston chamber (18) of at least one further cylinder (16a, 16b) arranged closer on the valve seats.