Viscosity Measurement Device With Replaceable Capillary Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for measuring viscosity of plastic melts are complex, costly, and require multiple parts, making them expensive to operate and difficult to change the measuring section, especially when dealing with different dimensions or viscosities.
Innovation Solution
A device with a melt channel and measuring section formed between two plane-parallel surfaces, featuring a replaceable slit measuring section limit, where both feed and return are branched off, and only one pump is needed, allowing for a compact and easily maintainable design with adjustable metal foils for varying viscosities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a milled measuring section is used, then the measuring channel has a specific cross-section, but cleaning the milled area is very time-consuming and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable capillary plates made of inexpensive material that are inserted into the measuring device. These plates are used once and then discarded, eliminating the need for time-consuming cleaning of milled measuring sections while maintaining precise cross-sectional dimensions for viscosity measurement.
2Measurement precision
If differently sized measuring sections are required, then a completely separate device is needed for each size, but this increases device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal measuring device that can accommodate different capillary plate sizes and configurations. The device includes a standardized holder and positioning system that accepts various capillary plates with different dimensions, allowing a single device to perform viscosity measurements for multiple applications rather than requiring separate dedicated devices for each measuring section size.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an interchangeable capillary plate is used, then the measuring device can handle different viscosities, but the device becomes very component-intensive and expensive to construct
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the capillary plate directly into the measuring section by forming the capillary channel as a through-opening in the capillary plate itself, which is then inserted into a simple holder. This merging of the capillary structure with the plate component eliminates the need for separate complex assemblies, reducing the overall number of components while maintaining the ability to interchange plates for different viscosity measurements.
4Measurement precision
If the measuring section is formed between two blocks with an interchangeable capillary plate, then viscosity measurement is possible, but the operation becomes very complex, especially regarding changing the capillary plate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measuring device into distinct modular segments: a holder component and a capillary plate component. The capillary plate is designed as a separate, self-contained element that can be easily inserted into and removed from the holder without complex manipulation. This segmentation simplifies the operation of changing capillary plates, making it a straightforward process rather than a complex procedure involving multiple steps or tools.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The aim of the invention is to further improve a device for measuring the viscosity of plastic melts in such a manner that it comprises as few parts as possible, can be used as universally as possible, is economical to operate and, in particular, that the measurement path limiter can be changed in an easy and simple manner. To this end, the device comprises a melt channel (3) and a measurement path (7') provided between two surfaces (9, 9') arranged in a plane-parallel manner. A replaceable measurement path limiter (6) is arranged in a plane-parallel manner between said two surfaces (9, 9') and comprises the measurement path (7') in the form of a slot (7). The outgoing line (11) which is branched off from the melt channel and the return line (12) for the melt as well as the openings (10, 10', 10'') for the measurement sensors (13, 13', 13'') end in the region of the slot (7) of the measurement path limiter (6) of at least one of the plane-parallel surfaces (9, 9'), the return line (12) being shorter than the outgoing line (11) and a pump being arranged only in the outgoing line (11).