Rotary Metering Head with Fixed Tip for Oblique Jetting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing metering systems for jetting fluids, such as adhesives, struggle with precise control when applying media at non-perpendicular angles due to the design of typical jet valves, which makes it difficult to reach edges and internal surfaces without compromising precision or requiring complex robot adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A rotary metering head with a freely rotatable platform and a jet valve arranged such that the metering axis remains constant, allowing for 360° rotation without changing the metering point, along with adjustable nozzle geometry and strain relief mechanisms, simplifies control and movement calculations for robots.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the jet valve is installed obliquely to apply medium at a defined angle, then the ability to cover edges and perpendicular surfaces is improved, but the position of the metering tip changes during rotation causing control complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to apply medium at defined anglesVSAvoidcontrol complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of rotating the entire robot arm or valve assembly around a distant pivot point, the invention inverts the approach by placing the rotation axis directly at the metering tip. This allows the valve body to rotate while the tip remains stationary, eliminating the need for complex position recalculation and satellite formation issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a new rotational dimension at the metering tip itself, allowing the valve to achieve oblique application angles through local rotation rather than through complex multiaxial robot movements. This dimensional change simplifies the control architecture significantly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the metering tip is positioned outside the axis of rotation to enable rotation, then the valve can be oriented at different angles, but the metering point changes position requiring recalculation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation capabilityVSAvoidmetering point position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional arrangement by placing the rotation axis at the metering tip rather than having the tip orbit around a distant axis. This ensures the metering point remains fixed while the valve body rotates, eliminating position recalculation requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If long needles are used to reach edges and internal surfaces, then accessibility is improved, but jet operation becomes more difficult or impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility to edges and surfacesVSAvoidjet operation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention makes the valve body dynamically rotatable around the fixed metering tip, allowing the nozzle to be oriented toward any target surface while maintaining the tip's fixed position. This dynamic orientation capability provides accessibility without requiring long needles that would compromise jet operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11786927B2Rotary metering head

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 MARCO SYSTEMANALYSE UND ENTWICKLUNG GMBH

AI summary

A rotary metering head comprises a platform which is rotatable about an axis of rotation and on which a jet valve is arranged that serves for the jetting of fluid materials.