Protective Material Edge Application Device with Pivoting Smoothing Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for applying protective materials to the edges of composite material parts in the aeronautical field lack precision and control over material thickness, often resulting in overflow onto adjacent surfaces and requiring high dexterity.
Innovation Solution
A device with a body equipped for precise application of protective material, featuring adjustable means for calibrating height, positioning stops, and smoothing plates that can be adjusted to prevent overflow, utilizing a pivoting arm mechanism to regulate spacing between smoothing plates for accurate edge protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a roller and spatula are used to apply protective material without protective masking, then the adjacent surfaces are not covered with protective material, but much precision and time are required and the thickness of the material cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces smoothing plates as intermediary elements between the protective material application and the adjacent surfaces. These plates serve as a mediating structure that defines the boundary of material application, preventing overflow onto adjacent surfaces while enabling controlled thickness through the plate geometry, thus resolving the contradiction between precision control and time consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The smoothing plates are pre-positioned against the adjacent surfaces before the protective material is applied. This preliminary positioning establishes the exact boundary and thickness profile in advance, eliminating the need for post-application adjustments and reducing the time required while ensuring precise thickness control
2Manufacturing precision
If a roller and spatula are used to apply protective material without protective masking, then the adjacent surfaces are not covered with protective material, but much precision and dexterity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The smoothing plates act as intermediary guides that physically define the edge boundary and material thickness. This intermediary structure transforms the operation from one requiring high operator dexterity to a guided process where the plates automatically ensure precise edge definition and consistent thickness without requiring skilled manual control
3Manufacturing precision
If the smoothing plates are fixed in position, then the spacing is constant, but the device cannot adapt to different part geometries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a pivoting mechanism that allows the smoothing plates to dynamically adjust their spacing and orientation. This dynamic capability enables the device to adapt to various part geometries while maintaining consistent spacing through the pivoting action, resolving the contradiction between spacing consistency and geometric adaptability
4Ease of operation
If the pivoting arm is held away from the body, then the smoothing plates are separated for access, but gravity causes the arm to move away and requires manual repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element applies a preliminary counteracting force to gravity, creating a bias that automatically returns the pivoting arm to its initial position after the smoothing plates are accessed. This preliminary anti-action against gravitational displacement eliminates the need for manual repositioning, resolving the contradiction between plate accessibility and repositioning time
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
Enables precise application and calibration of protective material thickness with improved control, preventing overflow onto adjacent surfaces and reducing the need for high dexterity, ensuring consistent and effective edge protection.
Implementation Method 1
return means which tend to make said arm pivot in such a way as to bring the smoothing plates close together
Implementation Method 2
under the action of gravity, the arm is displaced away from its initial position
Data Source
AI summary
Device for applying a protective material on one edge of a part, includes a body equipped with elements for applying the protective material on the edge, elements for calibrating the protective material in terms of height after application, at least one stop to position the body relative to the edge and elements for calibrating the edges of the protective material including two smoothing plates that rest respectively against the right and the left surfaces of the part adjacent to the edge, at least one of the two smoothing plates being movable relative to the other smoothing plate. The body includes at least one arm that supports a smoothing plate and pivots relative to the body around an axis of rotation so as to regulate the spacing between the two smoothing plates and return elements that tend to make the arm pivot so as to bring the smoothing plates close together.