Viscous Material Transfer Assembly for Continuous Dispensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for applying viscous materials, such as grease and adhesives, face inefficiencies when the main tank becomes empty, as the piston or plunger needs to be retreated, leading to inefficient operation.
Innovation Solution
An assembly with a first pressurizing member and a second container that allows switching between circulation and interruption of viscous material between a main tank and a buffer tank, using contact units and passages to control the flow, enabling efficient material distribution and replenishment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single main tank is used for storing viscous material, then the device structure is simple, but the operation becomes inefficient when the tank becomes empty requiring piston retreat
Solution Approach 1:
The single main tank is divided into two separate tanks: a first tank and a second tank. This segmentation allows the system to switch between tanks when one becomes empty, maintaining continuous operation without requiring piston retreat. The first pressurizing member can draw from the first tank and transfer material to the second tank, or vice versa, ensuring uninterrupted supply.
Solution Approach 2:
A transfer passage is introduced as an intermediary channel between the first and second tanks. This passage enables the first pressurizing member to transfer viscous material from one tank to the other, facilitating seamless switching between tanks and maintaining continuous operation without system shutdown.
2Productivity
If a piston is used to pressurize viscous material, then the material can be extruded through pipes, but the piston must be retreated when the tank is empty causing operational inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by having the first pressurizing member transfer material from the first tank to the second tank before the first tank becomes completely empty. This advance transfer ensures that material is always available in one of the tanks, eliminating the need for piston retreat and maintaining continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-tank system with transfer passage enables continuous useful action by ensuring that viscous material is always available for pressurization. When one tank is depleted, the system automatically switches to the other tank through the transfer passage, maintaining uninterrupted material supply and eliminating idle time.
3Ease of manufacture
If the second container is made separatable from the first pressurizing member, then the assembly allows flexible configuration and maintenance, but the connection reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the first pressurizing member and second container is designed to be dynamically adjustable. The second container can be separated from or attached to the first pressurizing member as needed, allowing flexible configuration for maintenance or reconfiguration while maintaining reliable connection during operation through proper coupling mechanisms.
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 assembly efficiently manages the circulation and interruption of viscous materials, allowing for continuous operation by switching between tanks, reducing waste and improving the overall efficiency of the application process.
Implementation Method 1
The first pressurizing member is configured in which a viscous material stored in a first container can be pressurized
Implementation Method 2
The second contact unit is configured being contactable to the first contact unit. The second passage is provided on the second contact unit, the second passage being interrupted from the first passage when the first contact unit is brought into contact with the second contact unit
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly is used for an applying device having a first pressurizing member that can pressurize a viscous material stored in a first container, and a second container having the viscous material stored, the second container being relatively approachable and separatable with respect to the first pressurizing member. The first pressurizing member includes a first contact unit contactable with the second container and a first passage through which the viscous material stored in the first container is circulatable to the second container. The second container includes a second contact unit contactable with the first contact unit, and a second passage provided on the second contact unit, the second passage being interrupted from the first passage when the first contact unit is brought into contact with the second contact unit, the second passage communicating with the first passage when the first contact unit is separated from the second contact unit.