Three-Stage Variable Color Paste Pump Precision Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing toning equipment faces challenges in precision control of color paste ejection, particularly for small amounts, due to large ejection deviations when switching from high to low volume, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs with complex, space-intensive dual-pump systems.

Innovation Solution

A three-stage variable color paste pump with a differential pump and control valve system that adjusts communication structures to accurately eject small, medium, and large amounts of color paste using a single pump, ensuring precision and reducing space and cost requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a single pump with large ejection capacity is used, then large amount of color paste can be ejected, but ejection precision deteriorates when ejecting small amounts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveejection capacityVSAvoidejection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The pump chamber is divided into a first pump chamber and a second pump chamber with different ejection capacities. The control valve directs color paste through different pathways: for small amounts, it uses the second pump chamber with higher precision; for large amounts, it uses the first pump chamber with greater capacity. This segmentation allows the system to optimize between capacity and precision based on demand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control valve dynamically switches between different pump chambers and pathways based on the required ejection amount. The system transitions from a static single-pump design to a dynamic multi-mode design where the active pumping pathway changes according to operational requirements, optimizing performance for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If two color mixers (one large pump, one small pump) are provided, then ejection precision for both small and large amounts is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveejection precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of providing two independent color mixer systems, the invention merges their functions into a single pump system with multiple pump chambers. The control valve integrates the switching logic, combining what would require separate mixers into one unified device, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precision for both small and large ejection amounts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single pump system is designed to perform multiple functions: the first pump chamber handles large amount ejections while the second pump chamber handles small amount ejections with higher precision. The control valve provides universal control over both pathways, making the single system as versatile as two separate systems but with reduced complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If two pumping systems are arranged in parallel, then ejection precision for varying amounts is improved, but occupied space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveejection precisionVSAvoidoccupied space
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The second pump chamber is positioned within or adjacent to the first pump chamber in a nested or integrated arrangement. The control valve and associated components are shared between both chambers. This nesting approach allows two pumping systems to coexist in a compact footprint, significantly reducing the occupied space compared to parallel arrangement while maintaining the ability to switch between precision and capacity modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3508722B1Three-stage variable color paste pump and operation method therefor
Publication Date: 2021.09.08 ZHENGZHOU SANHUA TECH & IND
  • EP3508722B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1c
  • EP3508722B1 patent drawingFigure 1d~2a
  • EP3508722B1 patent drawingFigure 2b~3

AI summary

A three-stage variable color paste pump, comprising: a differential pump, which includes: a rodless cavity, a rod containing cavity, and a piston rod; configuring a control valve, which comprises a valve body and a valve core, wherein the valve body is provided with a rod containing cavity opening which is in communication with the rod containing cavity; configuring a rodless cavity opening as in communication with the rodless cavity, configuring a color paste bucket opening as in communication with a color paste bucket, and configuring an ejection outlet; configuring a channel on the valve core, moving the valve core to different positions may form three communication structures. The pump uses one differential pump to achieve three-stage injection output, thus ensuring the accuracy of the injection output of the color paste pump. The pump has a simple structure, takes up a small surface area, and is easy to use.