Seam Sealer Adapter for High Viscosity Adhesive Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing applicator systems for dispensing adhesives face challenges in cleaning due to adhesive curing in intricate passageways, and struggle with dispensing high viscosity adhesives using conventional spray gun systems.
Innovation Solution
A spray gun system comprising a nozzle assembly with obliquely arranged liquid and gas inlets, an adhesive adaptor for fluid-tight connection with the nozzle, and an adhesive cartridge container that can be pressurized to at least 20 PSI, enabling efficient dispensing of high viscosity adhesives in bead or spray forms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional spray gun systems are used to dispense adhesives, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot effectively dispense high viscosity adhesives and requires intensive cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the applicator into separable components: a reusable spray gun platform and a disposable nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly contains the liquid passageway that contacts adhesive, allowing it to be discarded after use while retaining the expensive platform. This resolves the contradiction by enabling effective high viscosity adhesive dispensing through the specialized nozzle design without making the entire system complex and permanent.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a disposable nozzle assembly that is inexpensive relative to the spray gun platform. The nozzle contains all adhesive-contact surfaces and is designed for single-use or limited-use applications, eliminating the need for intensive cleaning of the expensive platform. This approach maintains simple overall system structure while achieving effective adhesive dispensing.
2Reliability
If the nozzle liquid passageway allows air to enter and cure the adhesive, then the adhesive cures in the passageway, but this makes cleaning almost impossible and may require disposal of the entire applicator system
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle assembly is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after the adhesive cartridge is depleted or the nozzle shows signs of curing. This eliminates the need for cleaning the liquid passageway entirely, as the entire nozzle is replaced. The reusable platform never contacts adhesive, so it requires no cleaning. This resolves the contradiction by making the system reliable without complex cleaning procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the adhesive-contact functionality into a separate disposable nozzle assembly that can be removed and replaced. The expensive spray gun platform is extracted from the adhesive dispensing function, containing only gas passageways and control mechanisms that never contact adhesive. This separation allows the liquid passageway to be discarded rather than cleaned, resolving the cleaning reliability issue.
3Productivity
If spray gun systems operate at 18 PSI to 30 PSI to spray paints, then the spray function works well, but this pressure is not enough to draw high viscosity adhesives using the venturi effect
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a piston-driven mechanism where pressurized gas (at 3-5 PSI) acts on a piston to mechanically force adhesive through the nozzle, rather than relying on venturi effect alone. This pneumatic-hydraulic approach enables high viscosity adhesive dispensing at lower gas pressures while maintaining effective flow through the liquid passageway.
4Productivity
If pressurized systems operate at 3 PSI to 5 PSI to pressurize paint containers, then the pressurization function works, but this pressure is not enough to allow dispensing of high viscosity adhesives
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines low-pressure gas (3-5 PSI) acting on a piston with the mechanical advantage of the piston-cylinder arrangement. The gas pressure moves the piston, which directly forces adhesive through the nozzle assembly. This pneumatic mechanism enables effective dispensing of high viscosity adhesives at low gas inlet pressures that would be insufficient for direct pressure-driven flow.
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 effectively dispenses high viscosity adhesives with improved cleaning efficiency by using a disposable nozzle assembly that can be easily replaced, reducing the need for intensive cleaning and extending the life of the applicator system.
Implementation Method 1
The adhesive cartridge container gas inlet is configured to receive pressurized gas... When assembled, the system is configured to dispense an adhesive having a viscosity of at least 4000 centipoise
Implementation Method 2
When the spray gun system is operating (e.g., when a needle valve is opened or otherwise allowing liquid to flow through), the pressure of the spray gun system measured at a gas inlet is generally between 18 PSI to 30 PSI, which is not enough to draw adhesive using the venturi effect
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method and system. The method includes obtaining a spray gun platform (206) and a spray gun nozzle assembly (208). The method can include assembling the spray gun platform (206) and the spray gun nozzle assembly such that the nozzle gas inlet is coupled with the platform gas passageway (228). The method can also include coupling an adhesive cartridge (204) containing the adhesive to the nozzle liquid inlet. The adhesive cartridge (204) is configured to be pressurized from a gas source. The method can also include activating a trigger of the spray gun platform (206).