Synchronized Ejection Piston Drive for Multi-Component Adhesive Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dosing and mixing devices for multi-component substances face challenges in ensuring simultaneous expulsion of components with different structures and mechanical properties, leading to potential mismatches during the mixing process.

Innovation Solution

A gear unit with synchronized actuation of ejection pistons and a switchable clutch mechanism ensures that component B is expelled only when component A is provided, using a gear unit with a displaceable assembly and counter-pressure spring elements to automatically switch the clutch when a certain reaction pressure is reached, ensuring synchronized expulsion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If ejection pistons with different drive mechanisms (axial for component A, rotary for component B) are used to accommodate cartridges with different structures and sizes, then adaptability to different cartridge types is improved, but synchronization of component expulsion becomes difficult to control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different cartridge typesVSAvoidsynchronization of component expulsion
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A clutch device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the two independently driven ejection pistons. The clutch device includes a clutch element that can engage or disengage based on reaction pressure, mediating the synchronization between the axial-driven piston (component A) and rotary-driven piston (component B). This allows different drive mechanisms to work together reliably without requiring complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses reaction pressure feedback from the cartridge to control synchronization. When the axial ejection piston encounters resistance (reaction pressure) during component A expulsion, this feedback signal triggers the clutch device to engage, which then activates the rotary ejection piston for component B. This feedback mechanism ensures both components are expelled simultaneously despite different drive mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If a clutch device with displaceable assembly and counter-pressure spring is used to automatically switch based on reaction pressure, then synchronization control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization controlVSAvoidclutch device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clutch device is designed to operate automatically based on reaction pressure without requiring external control signals or complex electronics. The counter-pressure spring element and displaceable assembly create a self-regulating system where the reaction pressure from component A expulsion automatically triggers the engagement of the clutch, which then activates component B expulsion. This self-service mechanism reduces control system complexity while maintaining reliable synchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the first ejection rod is designed as a toothed rack for axial drive and the second as a spindle with thread for rotary drive, then adaptability to different cartridge mechanical properties is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different cartridge mechanical propertiesVSAvoidgear unit precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The ejection mechanism is segmented into two independent drive systems: an axial toothed rack for component A and a rotary spindle with thread for component B. Each segment is optimized for specific cartridge types and mechanical properties. The gear unit connects these segmented drives through the clutch mechanism, allowing each segment to be manufactured with standard precision while achieving overall system adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This solution ensures precise and reliable expulsion of both components, preventing mismatches and ensuring accurate mixing, even with cartridges of different sizes and mechanical properties, and allows for easy reloading with minimal resistance.

Implementation Method 1

a gear unit for connecting a drive machine (9), which has coupling means for forcibly connecting an ejection of at least two material components by correspondingly synchronized actuation of the corresponding ejection pistons (11, 211) via an ejection rod (4, 5) each

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear mechanism: Gear

Implementation Method 2

at least one ejection piston has a thread which can generate a forward drive of this ejection piston by rotation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 3

the displaceable assembly (or the clutch element assigned to it) is assigned a counter-pressure spring element, which provides a counter-pressure force that opposes the reaction pressure when component A is discharged

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2794121B1Driving device for dosing and mixing apparatus
Publication Date: 2018.05.09 SIKA TECH AG
  • EP2794121B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2794121B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4
  • EP2794121B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a drive apparatus (1B) of a metering and mixing device (1A) for multi-component materials, in particular multi-component adhesives, which metering and mixing device has at least two cartridge-accommodating devices (2, 3) for accommodating replaceable cartridges (2.1, 3.1) having individual material components, a discharging device for simultaneously discharging the material components from the cartridges (2.1, 3.1) through component outlets by means of discharging plungers (11, 16) that plunge into the cartridge-accommodating device (2, 3), and a mixing device (7), which is connected to the component outlets and mixes the discharged material components and dispenses the material components in the mixed state, comprising a transmission unit (8) for connecting an in particular electric drive machine (9), wherein the transmission unit (8) has coupling means (24) for the forced connection of a discharge of at least two material components by correspondingly synchronized actuation of the corresponding discharging plungers (11, 16) by means of respective discharging rods (4, 5).