Rotational Applicator With Flange for Uniform Adhesive Around Openings
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for applying viscous materials around openings in workpieces face challenges such as improper sizing of masks leading to adhesive migration, uneven application, and difficulty in securely attaching masks without causing adhesive migration.
Innovation Solution
An applicator with a flange and radially extending arms is designed to engage with an opening, allowing the flange to contact the workpiece surface while the arms spread the viscous material evenly by rotating around the opening, preventing migration and ensuring consistent application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If masks are securely attached to prevent adhesive migration, then adhesive migration is prevented, but it becomes difficult to remove the mask from the surface after application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the adhesive migration prevention function from the mask and transfers it to the applicator tool itself. The applicator's flange and arm structure creates a physical barrier that prevents adhesive from entering the opening during application, eliminating the need for a separate mask that needs to be removed.
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator serves as an intermediary tool between the adhesive and the opening. Instead of using a mask as an intermediary, the applicator's controlled geometry (flange with specific diameter, arm with specific height) provides precise adhesive placement without requiring attachment or removal operations.
2Reliability
If masks are made larger to prevent adhesive from entering the opening, then adhesive migration is prevented, but the adhesive cannot be applied in close proximity to the opening
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator implements local quality through its geometric features: the flange has a specific diameter that matches the opening size, and the arm has a specific height that controls the adhesive application distance. This localized geometric control allows precise adhesive placement close to the opening without risking migration inside.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the application system by using an applicator with controlled dimensions (flange diameter, arm height) instead of a mask with variable dimensions. These parameter controls enable precise adhesive placement at the optimal distance from the opening.
3Manufacturing precision
If masks are made smaller to allow close adhesive application, then adhesive can be applied closer to the opening, but adhesive may enter into the opening
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator's local geometric features (flange diameter matching the opening, arm height controlling clearance) provide precise adhesive placement while inherently preventing migration. The local structure ensures adhesive stays where needed without requiring the mask to be perfectly sized.
4Productivity
If viscous material is applied unevenly around the opening, then application speed may be increased, but voids or excess material result requiring rework
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator enables continuous rotation around the opening, maintaining constant adhesive application along the entire perimeter. This continuous action ensures uniform adhesive distribution without gaps or excess, achieving both speed and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator's circular flange and rotational motion create a symmetric, curved application path around the opening. This geometric symmetry ensures uniform adhesive distribution along the entire perimeter, eliminating voids and excess material.
Data Source
AI summary
An applicator that includes a body with a first end, an opposing second end, and an intermediate flange. An arm is connected to and extends radially outward from the body. During use, viscous material is positioned on the surface of the workpiece outward away from an opening. The first end of the applicator is inserted into the opening and a bottom side of the flange contacts against the surface of the workpiece. The arm is positioned relative to the flange to be above the surface of the workpiece with a gap formed between the bottom side of the arm and the workpiece. The applicator is rotated causing the arm to move around the opening and spread the viscous material across the surface of the workpiece.