Viscous Material Pumping with Torsional Spring Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sealant and grease guns experience dripping issues due to residual elastic forces after pumping stops, as the deformed viscous material exerts force on the push rod, causing continuous ejection of material despite the cessation of pumping.
Innovation Solution
A device that stores a predetermined portion of driving energy as elastic potential energy during pumping and releases it when pumping stops, allowing the viscous material to be sucked back into the device, preventing dripping. This is achieved through mechanisms involving slopes and torsional springs that restore their initial configuration, expanding the volume within the gun to retract the material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If compressed air or electricity is used to power the sealant/grease gun, then smooth and continuous ejection of viscous material is achieved, but air hoses or power cords hinder operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional manual trigger mechanism with an automatic sensing and actuating system. Load cells detect when viscous material reaches the discharge tip, and this signal automatically actuates the piston to eject the material, eliminating the need for continuous manual triggering while maintaining smooth ejection
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-monitoring and self-actuation through load cells that automatically detect material discharge conditions and trigger the ejection mechanism without external intervention, making the device service itself during operation
2Device complexity
If manual power is used to pump viscous material, then the device structure is simple, but the pumping is discontinuous and requires manual power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated electromechanical system. The load cell sensing mechanism detects material presence and automatically actuates the piston through an electrical actuator, providing continuous pumping action without manual intervention while keeping the overall mechanical structure relatively simple
3Stability of the object's composition
If the push rod remains in position after pumping stops, then the structure is stable, but viscous material continues to drip due to elastic force
Solution Approach 1:
The load cell provides continuous feedback on the force exerted by viscous material on the discharge tip. When pumping stops and material begins to drip, the load cell detects the force change and sends a signal to retract the piston, which in turn moves the push rod to counteract the elastic force and stop dripping
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary action by detecting the onset of dripping through load cell feedback and automatically actuating the piston to retract the push rod before significant dripping occurs, preventing the harmful effect rather than correcting it after the fact
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
Enables smooth and continuous pumping of viscous materials without manual power and prevents dripping by utilizing energy storage and release mechanisms, ensuring efficient and uninterrupted operation.
Implementation Method 1
storing a predetermined portion of driving energy for the pumping as elastic potential energy when the pumping starts; and releasing the stored energy when the pumping stops
Implementation Method 2
mechanisms involving slopes and torsional springs that restore their initial configuration, expanding the volume within the gun to retract the material
Implementation Method 3
a device for pumping viscous materials which comprises a main body further comprising a bracket and a handle; a driving with energy storing/releasing function further comprising an actuator and a module for energy storing/releasing
Data Source
AI summary
Device for pumping viscous materials, particularly sealant and grease, without dripping and method of the same are characterized by storing a predetermined portion of the driving energy in form of an angular and/or linear displacement of a torsional spring. This very portion of the stored energy will be released at the end of the operation when the operator let go the trigger, whereby the released energy will drive the final transmission and the end part of the final transmission to move backwards for a predetermined amount of displacement. This backwards movement of the end part of the final transmission causes the volume of viscous material to expand suddenly; this expansion of the volume of viscous material compensates the compression of the viscous material from the dispensing process, which will also draw back the viscous material on its way outward for to work and for to drip.