Piezoelectric Dosing System Impulse Closure for Microdosing Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dosing systems for viscous substances face challenges in achieving high-precision microdosing due to slow mechanics, which limits their effectiveness in delivering precise quantities of substances like adhesives and paints to target surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A dosing system with an actuator system that includes an actuating element and a nozzle, where the actuating element is moved in a first partial movement to separate from the closure element at an intended stop location, then imparts an impulse to the closure element, allowing for faster closure and precise droplet break-off, enabling smaller droplet sizes and improved precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional pneumatic actuators with levers are used to close the nozzle, then the system structure is simple, but the closure speed is too slow for high-precision microdosing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional pneumatic actuator with a piezoelectric actuator that directly drives the closure element. This substitution of the actuating mechanism enables much faster response times and closure speeds, meeting the requirements for high-precision microdosing while maintaining acceptable system complexity through the use of a compact piezoelectric device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs ultrasonic vibration to assist the closure element in achieving rapid and precise droplet break-off. The vibratory motion enhances the closure speed and precision by creating controlled disturbances that facilitate clean droplet separation, thereby overcoming the limitations of slow mechanical closure systems.
2Manufacturing precision
If the actuating element continuously contacts the closure element, then the control is simple, but the droplet break-off precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes periodic ultrasonic vibrations applied to the closure element during the droplet formation and break-off process. This periodic action creates optimal conditions for precise droplet separation at specific moments in the dosing cycle, significantly improving droplet break-off precision while requiring controlled timing rather than continuous contact.
Solution Approach 2:
By applying controlled mechanical vibrations to the closure element, the system achieves precise droplet break-off through vibratory assistance rather than relying solely on continuous mechanical contact. This approach enhances precision while allowing for more sophisticated control strategies.
3Manufacturing precision
If larger droplets are produced, then the dosing quantity is sufficient for general applications, but the precision and fineness of dosing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs piezoelectric actuation to precisely control the closure element's position and timing, enabling accurate control of droplet size and quantity. By adjusting the electrical parameters of the piezoelectric actuator and the timing of closure, the system can produce precisely sized droplets that meet both precision and quantity requirements for microdosing applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonic vibration applied to the closure element facilitates clean droplet break-off and enables precise control over droplet size. The vibratory energy helps create consistently sized small droplets with well-defined break-off points, thereby achieving both high precision and appropriate dosing quantity simultaneously.
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 system achieves faster closure of the nozzle and more precise droplet formation, allowing for smaller droplet sizes and enhanced precision in dosing, overcoming the limitations of previous systems in high-precision and microdosing applications.
Implementation Method 1
EP 2 143 503 A1 describes a dosing system with a piezoelectric actuator that directly acts on the closure element
Implementation Method 2
US 2017/0138847 A1 describes a dosing system with ultrasonic vibration that assists the closure element in achieving rapid and precise droplet break-off
Implementation Method 3
the actuating element is moved in a first partial movement during a movement in a closure direction in such a way that it is released from the closure element at an intended stop location and is then accelerated independently and impinges on the closure element and thereby transmits an impulse to the closure element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The invention relates to a dosing system (1', 1'') for a liquid to viscous dosing material comprising an actuator system (2), which comprises at least one actuating element (29, 57), and a nozzle (13) having an outlet opening (19). According to the invention, the actuating element (29, 57) is first moved in a first partial movement upon a movement in a closure direction (V) so that it is separated from the closure element (15) at a proper stop location (31) and then meets the closure element on the stop location (31) and exerts an impulse (I) on the closure element (15). The invention also relates to a correspondingly designed dosing method.