Dispensing system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dispensing systems for materials like solder paste and adhesives face issues with ineffective heating throughout the flow path, inaccessibility of wetted parts for cleaning, and difficulty in accurately adjusting the needle stroke length for jetting operations.

Innovation Solution

A dispensing system with a piezoelectric actuator assembly and a heater design that includes a housing with helical grooves for uniform heating and temperature control, along with a mechanism to adjust the needle stroke length using a fastener system and piezoelectric element, allowing for precise control and improved material flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a needle valve mechanism is used for dispensing, then material can be jetted onto the substrate, but the stroke length of the needle is difficult to accurately adjust

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle stroke length adjustment accuracyVSAvoiddifficulty in accurately adjusting stroke length

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by providing pre-configured stroke length adjustment mechanisms where the needle stroke length can be set to predetermined positions before operation. This allows accurate adjustment without requiring complex real-time calibration during dispensing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment of needle stroke length with automated control systems that can precisely position the needle at predetermined stroke lengths, eliminating the difficulty of manual adjustment while maintaining manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Temperature

If heating is applied to the material flow path, then material temperature can be controlled, but heat transfer occurs to unintended parts of the applicator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial temperature controlVSAvoidheat transfer to unintended parts

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by implementing heating elements that are specifically positioned and configured to heat only the material flow path and reservoir, while unintended parts of the applicator remain at lower temperatures. This localized heating approach maintains material temperature control without causing harmful heat transfer to other components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the heating function by providing separate heating zones for different parts of the material delivery system, allowing independent temperature control of the reservoir and flow path while preventing heat from spreading to unintended areas of the applicator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If rapid needle contact with valve seat is used, then high pressure pulse is created for material ejection, but wetted parts become inaccessible for removing excess material

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial ejection speedVSAvoidaccessibility of wetted parts for cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the needle and valve seat assembly from the main applicator body, providing a removable configuration that allows easy access to wetted parts for cleaning and maintenance while maintaining the high-pressure pulse capability during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic design where the needle and valve seat can be quickly assembled and disassembled, allowing the system to transition between operational mode (high-pressure material ejection) and maintenance mode (easy access to wetted parts for cleaning).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 ensures effective heating and precise material dispensing with reduced material waste and increased accuracy, allowing for consistent application of materials like hot melt adhesives to substrates during manufacturing.

Implementation Method 1

The piezoelectric element, upon receiving a charge, is configured to move the actuator assembly relative to the needle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

a heater wire disposed in the second helical groove

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3612322B1Dispensing system

Publication Date: 2022.05.04 NORDSON CORP

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AI summary

A dispensing system for jetting a material onto a substrate is disclosed. The dispensing system includes a plate defining a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface in a first direction, and at least one slot that extends through the plate from the first surface to the second surface, and an actuator assembly that contains a piezoelectric element and is operatively coupled to the needle. The dispensing system also includes at least one fastener that extends through the actuator assembly and the at least one slot, where the at least one fastener is configured to selectively engage the plate such that 1) in a disengaged configuration, the at least one fastener is movable within the slot and the actuator assembly is movable relative to the plate, and 2) in an engaged configuration, the at least one fastener is not movable within the slot and the actuator assembly is not movable relative to the plate such that a stroke length of the needle is adjusted.