Rotating Spray Cup Coating for Uniform Inner Tube Adhesive Application
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for applying solvent-free adhesive materials with high viscosity and short pot life to inner tube walls face challenges such as non-uniform coating, manual labor inefficiency, health risks, and difficulty in applying to long or narrow tubes, often requiring high-pressure systems that are not always available.
Innovation Solution
A novel apparatus with a controller, source device, and motion driving device, featuring a foldable frame and spray cup that applies flowable materials uniformly and safely within tubes, using a motion and operation device to move the spray cup radially and allowing real-time monitoring through a camera.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual brush applying is used, then the operator can directly observe the coating process, but the coating uniformity deteriorates and the process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual brush applying method with an automated spray cup system that rotates at controlled speeds to uniformly apply adhesive material. The spray cup rotates to distribute the material evenly through centrifugal force, eliminating manual labor while maintaining coating uniformity and significantly reducing applying time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the rotation speed of the spray cup as a key parameter to achieve uniform coating distribution. By adjusting and maintaining optimal rotation speeds, the system ensures consistent adhesive application across the tube inner wall, resolving the contradiction between coating quality and application efficiency.
2Reliability
If high pressure adhesive feeding system with heater is used, then the adhesive material can be applied successfully, but the system complexity increases and availability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex high-pressure feeding system and heater components from the adhesive application process. Instead, it uses a simple spray cup that relies on rotation-induced centrifugal force to deliver and apply the adhesive material, achieving reliable coating without the need for complex pressurization or heating equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes centrifugal force generated by rotating the spray cup to feed and distribute the adhesive material, replacing the need for high-pressure pneumatic or hydraulic feeding systems. This fluid dynamic approach simplifies the overall system while maintaining effective material delivery.
3Device complexity
If manual brush applying is used, then the equipment is simple, but the operator health deteriorates due to toxic material exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual brush applying with an automated rotating spray cup system, eliminating direct operator contact with toxic adhesive materials. The automated system performs all material handling and application tasks, protecting operator health while keeping the equipment design relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The spray cup system is designed to automatically feed, rotate, and apply the adhesive material without human intervention during the application process. This self-service capability ensures operator safety by completely removing them from exposure to toxic materials while maintaining equipment simplicity.
4Device complexity
If manual brush applying is used, then the equipment is simple, but the coating uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the simple but ineffective manual brush system with an automated rotating spray cup mechanism. The rotation creates uniform centrifugal distribution of adhesive material, achieving consistent coating quality that manual methods cannot provide, while the overall equipment remains relatively simple in design.
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
Ensures uniform application of flowable materials without manual labor, reduces health risks, and allows real-time process observation, ensuring high-quality coating even in challenging tube geometries.
Implementation Method 1
when the spray cup is rotated, the flowable material fed into the spray cup can be radially spun out of the spray cup
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure generally relates to an apparatus for applying a flowable material to an inner wall of a tube (600), comprising: a controller (100), a source device (200), and a motion driving device (300) which are outside the tube (600); and a motion and operation device (400) releasably insertable into the tube (600), the source device (200) is configured to selectively feed the flowable material to the motion and operation device (400) under control of the controller (100), the motion and operation device (400) comprises a spray cup (463) such that when the spray cup (463) is rotated, the flowable material fed into the spray cup (463) can be radially spun out of the spray cup (463), the motion driving device (300) is configured to enable the motion and operation device (400) to be movable in the tube (600) when it is inserted in the tube (600).