KR0129584Y1 - Modular dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

The modular dispensing system of the present invention, which allows for rapid exchange of the dispensing unit and dispenses the fluid in the correct amount, comprises a housing 30 which forms a reservoir 36 for storing the fluid under pressure, and the fluid when in the open state. A self-contained dispensing unit 22 which includes a dispensing unit for dispensing and for stopping or preventing dispensing when in a closed state; A self-contained actuator unit 26 including actuating means for actuating said dispensing unit along the actuating axis between the open and closed states; Locking means (122,124,126,128) mutually engageable in said actuator unit and said dispensing unit for releasably attaching said dispensing unit to said actuator unit; A deformable diaphragm extending transverse to the actuation axis and sealingly fixed between the housing and the valve stem for isolating the reservoir with actuating means, the dispensing unit being able to change quickly without any possibility of leakage of the stored fluid ( 50).

Description

Modular distribution system

1 is a longitudinal front view of a modular dispensing device embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view similar to that of FIG. 1, and is a partially exploded perspective view showing a state in which the lower portion of the dispensing device is rotated 90 degrees about the longitudinal axis from the position in FIG.

3 is an exploded view of the dispensing unit and the nozzle unit constituting part of the apparatus shown in FIG.

4 and 5 show the dispensing unit and the nozzle unit of FIG. 3 in an assembled state, showing the two operating positions.

FIG. 4A is a detailed view showing another embodiment of the parts shown in FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing an actuator unit and an adjustment unit constituting part of the dispenser shown in FIG.

7 and 8 show the actuator unit and the adjustment unit of FIG. 6 in an assembled state and show the two operating positions of the adjustment unit, respectively.

9 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a portion shown in FIGS. 6-8.

FIG. 10 is a detailed cross sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG.

11 through 16 are detailed partial cross-sectional views showing another embodiment of a diaphragm structure that can be used by the present invention.

17 and 18 show another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the front view of the form as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower portion of FIG. 18 is rotated by 90 ° about the longitudinal axis from the position of FIG. The figure which shows the state made to be.

* Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

1: dispensing device 22: dispensing unit

24: nozzle unit 26: actuator unit

28: adjustment unit 30: housing

34 insert 40 valve seat

46: Retainer 60: Stem Member

66: ball 82: cylindrical body

[Purpose of designation]

The technical field to which the design belongs and the prior art in the field

The present invention relates to a fluid dispensing mechanism, and more particularly, to a modular dispensing device that is simple in structure and capable of applying a predetermined amount of fluid to a receiving surface without a seal such as a sliding seal and an operating spring. will be.

In one known distributor design, the spring-type piston opens and closes the valve by pneumatic actuation to control the fluid flow dispensed from the outlet nozzle. The piston is provided with a seal to prevent the flow of fluid in other directions not through the valve, which seals degrade and wear, especially when the fluid is heated and dispensed.

In other known distributor designs, a diaphragm can be moved to the actuation rod between a bend position that can cause flow between the intake conduit and the discharge conduit, and a planar position that inhibits this flow. However, proper sealing of the valve to prevent the flow of fluid into the actuation mechanism is a continuing problem.

Fluid loss due to fluid entering other cavities through nozzles other than the outlet nozzle is a big problem. When the fluid is a sealant or adhesive, it accumulates and hardens, which adversely affects the operation of the dispensing device and may render the device inoperable.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a modular dispensing system with a distributor module that does not require a dynamic seal or an actuating spring, which provides a wide range of viscosities (ie 1 to 1 million centipose). To control the excitation fluid to the correct amount.

According to a feature of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for dispensing a fluid in an accurate amount, the apparatus comprising a housing defining a reservoir for containing a fluid under pressure, and an outlet for dispensing fluid from the reservoir. Between the valve seat on the housing and an open position away from the valve seat for dispensing fluid from the reservoir and a closed position in contact with the valve seat for stopping or preventing dispensing of fluid from the reservoir. An actuating means comprising a valve means movable in an actuating axis and having a spherical surface facing the valve seat, an actuating mechanism for moving the valve means between an open and close position along an actuating axis, Moveable along the operating axis to transmit movement of the instrument To isolate the reservoir from a valve stem having an axis coincident with the actuating shaft and from the actuating mechanism fixedly sealed in a region spaced from the valve stem and the housing and extending transversely to the actuating shaft. It is provided with a deformable diaphragm.

According to another feature of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for dispensing a fluid containing a cyanoacrylate and an aerobic adhesive in an accurate amount, the apparatus forming a reservoir for containing the fluid under pressure. Move along the operating axis between the housing and an open position away from the valve seat for dispensing fluid from the reservoir and a closed position in contact with the valve seat for stopping or preventing dispensing of fluid from the reservoir. Actuator means having an actuable valve means, an actuating mechanism for moving the valve means between the open and close positions along the actuating shaft, and moveable along the actuating shaft to transmit movement of the actuating mechanism to the valve means A valve stem having an axis coincident with the axis and the valve stem It comprises a deformable diaphragm made of a material that can be combined with the fluid in order to secure sealing in the area distant from group housing and isolated from the parts of the store the actuation mechanism extends transversely to the operating rod.

According to another feature of the present invention, there is provided a dispensing system for allowing rapid change of the dispensing unit and dispensing the fluid in the correct amount, which stops or prevents dispensing when in the closed structure and Self-contained actuator unit comprising actuating means for activating a dispensing unit for dispensing, and locking means interlockable on the actuator unit and the dispensing unit to releasably securely attach the dispensing unit to the actuating unit. .

According to another feature of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for dispensing a fluid in an accurate amount, the apparatus dispensing fluid when one of the plurality of open structures and stopping or preventing dispensing when in a closed structure Selectively actuating the actuator means to operate the dispensing unit in an opening and closing structure comprising a unit, an actuation mechanism and the actuator body, and an actuating means to operate the dispensing unit between the open structure and the closed structure of any one of the plurality of open structures. And an adjusting means for adjusting the screw, the adjusting means being integral with the operating mechanism and threaded shank portion, the inner and outer threads being threaded and screwed with the shank portion and the external threading is coarser than the internal threading. Studs and threaded on the studs to prevent relative rotation about the working shaft And a stroke adjuster nut keyed to the actuator body, the adjuster nut being movable along a plurality of positions between the first positions and an actuating axis coinciding with the rotation of the stud about the actuating axis at the distal surface of the actuator body. The piston may be floating or inoperative, and may operate or operate up to the second position and the maximum expansion of the piston spaced from the first position, and the piston may also operate or operate up to the maximum expansion by operating the valve gate. Can be opened up to the maximum open position.

[Configuration and Action of Design]

Next, the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 and 2, a modular dispensing device 20 according to the present invention is shown. Dispensing device 20 may dispense a wide range of hazardous fluids, including cyanoacrylates and an aerobic adhesive. The dispensing device 20 includes a dispensing unit 22, a nozzle unit 24, an actuator unit 26, and an adjusting unit 28. Each of these parts will be described in detail along with a description of their relationship.

First, the dispensing unit 22 comprises a cylindrical housing 30 with an end member 32 of reduced diameter. This housing 30 is shown and described in a cylindrical shape, but can conform to all other parts shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, so this preferred shape is not intended to limit the invention. The insert 34 is receivably fitted in the housing 30. This insert 34 is capable of receiving a pressurized fluid from a source (not shown) spaced apart via an aligned inlet 38 in the insert and an inlet 38 in the housing 30. To qualify. The housing 30 and the insert 34 may be one piece structures, but may be separated to facilitate manufacturing.

The valve seat 41 fits snugly in the counter bore 42 formed at the end of the insert 34. The valve seat 41, preferably formed of the conical closing surface 40, consists of a suitable material that is compatible with the fluid to be dispensed, including Delrin brand plastics, polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polyester Preference is given to stainless steels, preferably metals comprising 316 stainless steel, ceramics and most preferably fluorohydrocarbon polymers such as Teflon brand plastics.

The end of the housing 30 opposite the end member 32 is threaded therein to receive the cap member 44. The tubular retainer 46 is housed snugly in the counter bore 4 formed in the cap member 44. When the cap member is clamped onto the housing 30, the retainer 46 faces the insert 34 and then the valve seat 41.

The deformable diaphragm 50, which is compatible with the fluid to be dispensed, and which is deformable and composed of a suitable material, extends transverse to the longitudinal axis of the housing 30. This suitable material can be any of the materials mentioned above for the valve seat except ceramic. The outer circumferential region 52 of the diaphragm 50 (FIG. 3) is surrounded between the shoulder 53 and the insert 34 of the housing 30 when the cap member 44 is fully tightened in the housing. As best shown in FIG. 3, the diaphragm 50 freely receives a threaded stud 51 extending from the distal end 58 of the extended stem member 60 (FIGS. 4 and 5). It has a center hole 54 which can be made.

Adjacent extensions 62 of stem member 60 are screwed with stud 56, and stem member 60 and diaphragm 50 operate integrally when clamped to diaphragm 50. The adjoining extension 62 has a longitudinal flat portion 222 (FIGS. 2 and 3) acting as a keyway, the flat portion 222 being screwed into the housing 30. When engaged by screw 224, rotation of the extension is prevented. The remote end of the valve stem 58 has a longitudinally extending and threaded hole for receiving the fastener 64. This fastener is slidably received through a radially extending hole in a ball 66 made of a suitable material that is compatible with the fluid to be dispensed. The suitable material can be any one of the materials that can make up the valve seat 41. When the fastener 64 is clamped to the valve stem 58 of the stem member 60, the ball can act with the stem member and the diaphragm 50 associated therewith. The present invention is not limited to the valve gate formed of the ball 66 and may be any shape that properly closes the opening between the reservoir 36 and the nozzle unit 24. The ball 66 is good because it is not a surface contact but a line contact between the closing surface 40 and the ball. However, a suitable shape of the valve gate is not spherical, that is, having a spherical shape to contact the valve seat 40 can be effectively used, as shown at 66A in FIG. 4A.

The nozzle unit 24 includes a mounting end 68 extending into the retainer 46 through a longitudinal hole 70 formed in the cap member 44. The annular groove 72 formed slightly away from the innermost end of the nozzle unit 24 receives the 0-shaped ring seal 74 which ensures the passage of fluid in the manner described through the hollow needle member 76. To act. The cap member 44 is formed with a slot 78 extending radially for the purpose of accommodating and coupling the bayonet type extension 800 integrally and opposed to the nozzle unit 24. With this structure, the dispensing unit 22 can accommodate nozzle units 24 of various sizes at one time. The nozzle unit can be removed by turning it slightly around its longitudinal axis and pulling it out of the hole 70. The new nozzle or other nozzle unit 24 can be attached in the reverse of the method described above.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the actuator unit 26 shown in more detail in FIGS. 6 to 8 further includes an adjacent counter bore 88 and a spaced apart counter bore 86. And an elongated cylindrical body 82 having a central hole 84 formed in its intermediate region and extending longitudinally. The two counter bores 86, 88 communicate with each other and are axially aligned with respect to the central hole 84. The actuator shaft 90 is slidably accommodated in the central hole 84 and integral with the piston 92 arranged in the counter bore 86. The piston 92 and its actuator shaft 90 are reciprocable along an operating shaft that is the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body 82. This piston 92 can operate with a fluid, preferably using pneumatics, and may be used with other fluids, including liquids. In fact, the actuator unit 26 can be of a completely different type, for example an electrically operated solenoid or a mechanical cam. In addition, the operation of the actuator unit 26 may be performed by controlling an appropriate computer (not shown). However, in the example of the fluid actuator actuator unit 26, the 0-type ring seals 94 and 96 surround the actuator shaft 90 at positions spaced in opposite directions from the piston 92. The piston 92 also has a suitable 0-type ring seal 98.

As shown in FIG. 1, to move the piston 92 downward, pressurized working fluid enters the port 100 flowing into the counter bore 86 over the piston via the conduit 102. Any working fluid in counterbore 86 below piston 92 is discharged via conduit 104 in port 106 and end member 32 in communication therewith. The actuator shaft 90 is radially arranged with an extreme end positioned adjacent to the longitudinal flat portion 110 (FIG. 6) formed in the shaft acting as a keyway, and is set screwed with the cylindrical body 82. Rotation is prevented by the screw 108. The compression spring 112 is received in the counter bore 88, one end of which rests on its support surface 114. As explained below, the compression spring 112 supports the piston 92 in the retracted position shown in FIG. 1 when in the inoperative state. That is, air or other working fluid is generally used to move the piston 92 to the non-operating position, but a compression spring 112 is added to actuate in case of loss of working fluid.

The piston 92 acts to actuate the valve mechanism, as best shown by the ball 66 acting in conjunction with the valve seat 41. Referring to FIG. 1, the end member 32 of the dispensing unit 22 is slidably received in the spaced counter bore 86 of the actuator unit 26. The zero-shaped ring seal 116 surrounds the end member of the short adjacent end to ensure a seal between the cylindrical body 82 and the end member 32. When the rim 118 at the shortest end of the cylindrical body 82 firmly engages the shoulder 120 of the housing 30, the annular groove 122 formed in the outer surface of the end member 32 causes this to occur. Aligned with a plurality of circumferentially spaced set screws 124 radially extending through and threaded to the cylindrical body 82. By the above-described structure, the dispensing unit 22 can be removed or selectively attached from the actuator unit 26 and furthermore, when each unit is joined, they clamp the set screw 124 associated with the annular groove 122. Separation can be prevented.

The shortest end of the extension 62 is formed with a male T-shaped connector 126 engageable with a similarly formed female slot 128 (FIG. 6) in the distal end of the shaft 90. It should be noted that When the dispensing unit 22 is inserted into the actuator unit 26, the dispensing unit 22 is aligned such that the T-shaped connector 126 is properly received by the slot 128. The dispensing unit 22 is then rotated 90 ° so that the T-shaped connector 126 is appropriately opposed to prevent the withdrawal of the stem member 60 from the actuator shaft 90. When this occurs, the stem member and the axis are operable as a unit as they move along the longitudinal axis of the dispensing device 20. Typically, the set screw 124 cannot be adjusted to engage the annular groove 122 until the T-shaped connector 126 is fully engaged with the slot 128.

With reference to FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8, the adjustment unit 28 is demonstrated. The adjusting unit 28 acts to selectively adjust the operation of the piston 92, whereby the adjusting unit causes the ball 66 to exit the seat 40 between one of the plurality of open positions and the closed position. Move it. This is described below. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the threaded shank portion 130 extends and is integral with the proximal end of the actuator shaft 90, ie the end spaced from the piston 92. The tubular stud 132 threaded therein is screwed into the threaded shank portion 130. The outside of the stud 132 is also threaded and the external threading is coarser than the internal threading. The stroke adjuster nut 134 is screwed onto the stud 132 and as the rotation of the stud moves along the axis, the cylindrical body to prevent rotation of the stroke adjusting nut about the operating or longitudinal axis of the device 20. The key is coupled to (82). The structure of this key is described below. As shown in detail in FIG. 6, the stroke adjuster nut 134 is formed with four holes 136 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body 82 and spaced at equal intervals on the outer periphery of the nut 134. The cylindrical body 82 is formed with threaded holes 138 to receive threaded studs 140. The axes of the holes 138 are radially equidistant from the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body 82 like each hole 136. In any case, the stroke adjuster nut 134 is properly positioned over the stud 132. One of the holes 136 is aligned with the threaded hole 138, and the stud 140 is received through the hole 136 and screwed into the hole 138. In this way, the stroke adjuster nut 134 is supported against the rotation of the cylindrical body 82, although it can make free axial movement with respect to the cylindrical body 82.

The stroke regulator nut 134 is also formed with a radially opposed hole 142 and a detent, which will be described briefly below with the ball 146 and the compression spring 144 having a diameter slightly smaller than the hole 142. It acts as a detent. A crown-like member 148 with a ball 146 and a spring 144 held in the radial hole 142 is screwed into the stud 132. This stud extends to the bottom of the threaded hole 150 of the passive means 148. The set screw 152 is screwed into the radially opposed hole 154 in the passive means and is advanced until the neck screw is engaged with the stud 132. Thus, as the set screw 152 engages the stud 32, the passive means 148 and the stud 132 act as units.

An annular skirt 156 overlapping the outer surface of the cylindrical body 82 is integrally formed with the passive means 148. As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the inner circumferential surface of the skirt 156 is formed with grooves 158 extending in parallel in parallel in the longitudinal direction, the grooves being almost the same curvature as the balls 146. Has a radius. In fact, the ball 146 engages one groove 158 at the same time. By the elasticity of the spring 144, the neighboring intermediate groove 158 can be rotated about its longitudinal axis to place it in the ridge 160 until the passive means 148 lies in the next groove. There is a fixed relationship between the movement of the stroke adjuster nut 134 moving along the longitudinal axis and the rotation of the passive means about the working axis. The device 20 may, for example, cause the stroke adjuster nut 134 to retreat or advance toward the surface from the end surface of the cylindrical body 82 at a rate of one thousandth inch per click. ) Is designed to move from one groove 158 to its neighboring groove.

Although the structure and shape of the diaphragm 50 is shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be various shapes and structures. However, in each example, the center region is movable in the transverse direction with respect to the plane of the diaphragm, but the outer circumferential region of the diaphragm remains fixed.

For example, a modified diaphragm 50A is shown in FIG. 11, which has an outer circumferential region 164 securely supported between suitable retaining members 166 and 168. As shown in FIG. The stem member 60 fixed to the central region 170 of the diaphragm 50A is free to move in the longitudinal direction and is affected by the elasticity present in the diaphragm transverse to the plane of the diaphragm. The extreme position of diaphragm 50A is shown in FIG.

Larger lateral movement can be achieved with the structure shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. In the otherwise modified diaphragm 50B shown in FIG. 13, its central region 178 is fixed to the stem member 60 and is circumferentially region 172 which is fixedly supported by retaining members 174 and 176. Have The diaphragm 50B in the released state shown in FIG. 13 includes a second folding member 182 adjacent to the outer circumferential region 172 and a first folding member 180 adjacent to the central region 178. have. As shown in FIG. 13, the vertex 184 lies outside the plane of the central region 178 and the plane of the outer circumferential region 172 when the diaphragm 50B is at its solid line position (FIG. 13). When the stem member 60 is moved along its longitudinal axis, the diaphragm can take any one of the two extreme positions shown in dashed lines in FIG. 13. The displacement that can be normally obtained from the diaphragm 50B is substantially larger than that that can be obtained for the other diaphragms 50 or 50A.

The structural modification of diaphragm 50B is shown in FIG. 14, which shows a differently modified diaphragm 50C. In this example, the diaphragm has a peripheral region 186 fixed between a central region 192 fixed to the stem member 60 and an appropriate retaining member 188, 190. Also in this example, the plurality of concentric folding members 194, 196 cooperate with the plurality of similar folding members 198, 200. Each folding member of a neighboring pair forms annular vertices 202, 204 and 206, respectively, which are living hinges, respectively. Depending on the operation of the stem member 60, the diaphragm 50C can be moved to the extreme position shown by the dotted line in FIG. 14, and all the folding members are movable toward the plane of the mutual cavity.

Another structure shown in FIG. 15 may be that the outer cylindrical retaining member 208 is an insert in the housing itself or in the housing in which the inner annular slot 210 is formed. The slot 210 can receive and support the outer circumferential region 212 of another modified diaphragm 50D having a central region 214 fixed to the stem member 60.

In another structure shown in FIG. 16, the outer retainer 216 and the modified diaphragm 50E are integrated. This part may be manufactured, for example, by injection molding from a plastic material. In this structure, the outer circumferential region of the diaphragm 50E becomes integral with the retainer 216, but the outer circumferential region has a central region 218 fixed to the stem member 60. As with the structure described above, the stem member is movable along the longitudinal axis in which the restriction is formed in accordance with the degree of elasticity present in the diaphragm.

[work]

The following describes the operation of the modular dispensing device 20. Certain fluids to be dispensed, which may be, for example, sealants or adhesives in the form of slurries, are introduced under pressure to fill reservoir 36 via inlets 38 and 39. When appropriate, the actuator unit 26 is activated to dispense fluid from the dispensing unit 22. Referring to FIG. 1, this is accomplished by introducing a pressurized fluid, which may be air reaching the upper end of the piston 92 via the port 100. The actuator unit moves the stem member downward with the actuator shaft 90. This causes the diaphragm 50 to move from the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 5, and likewise, as shown in the figure, the ball 66 moves out of the valve seat 41. Move it. Then the flow of the fluid through the nozzle unit 24 is started. At the end of the dispensing operation, air is introduced to the lower side of the piston 92 (FIG. 1) through the port 106 in the reverse order. In this way, the ball 66 is returned to allow for the flow of the stationary fluid with the closing surface 40.

Downward movement of the piston 92 and actuator shaft 90 counteracts the pressing of the spring 112. The stroke of the piston 92 is also determined by the distance between the stroke regulator nut 134 and the end surface 162. FIG. 7 shows the position of the stroke adjuster nut 134 relative to the end surface 162, which allows only relatively small strokes by the piston and FIG. 8 shows state positioning as permitting the piston to have a relatively long stroke. Is shown.

Of course, this is the stroke of the piston determined by the adjuster nut 134 and determines the degree of opening of the piston, ie the distance the ball 66 moves out of the valve seat 40. The flow rate allowed by the dispensing unit up to the separation point between the closing surface 41 and the ball moves the ball 66 larger and equals the separation between the ball and the actual downstream of the closing surface. The fluid flows through the retainer 46 and through the needle member 76 of the nozzle unit 24 to the surface adapted to receive the fluid. When the dispensing operation is required to end, pressurized air is introduced through the port 106 to the lower side of the piston and air on the upper side of the piston 92 is exhausted through the port 100. A spring 112 that assists in this operation acts to close the valve with pressurized air that can be used for this purpose.

An important feature of the dispensing device 20 is to provide a controlled suck-back of the fluid at the end of the dispensing time. The dispensing period may end after any one drop or continuous bead has been placed. The duration of opening the valve is not after turn. An important capability of the dispenser is to avoid stringing and dripping of the fluid without undesired extraction of the air into the fluid in the reservoir 36. When the ball 66 spaces the closed surface at a distance approximately equal to the distance between the ball and the outer wall of the chamber as the ball advances, the maximum flow rate will be achieved when a constant pressure is applied upstream of the fluid. That is, moving the ball 66 further away from the closing surface 40 does not have any effect on the flow ratio.

However, this distance has a direct effect on the amount of recovery applied to the fluid upon retraction of the ball 66 that engages the closed surface 41. Upon retraction of the ball, a partial vacuum is generated downstream of the ball, which suction is used to extract fluid from the nozzle 24 back to the reservoir 36. Thus, the magnitude of the vacuum is proportional to the separation distance of the ball from the closed surface 41. In special fluids, if the ball is moved too far from the closed surface, air can be extracted into the fluid, and the air generated in the fluid becomes undesirable for continuous distribution. Conversely, if the movement of the ball 66 from the closing surface is too short, the stretching and dropping of the fluid from the nozzle 24 will not be prevented. Recovery is therefore a function of the ball moving from the containment surface 40 and also is a function of fluid viscosity since air is easily discharged into a low viscosity fluid rather than a high viscosity.

As the ball 66 adjusts the separation distance from the closing surface 40, the adjustment unit 28 acts to control the retrieval capacity of the dispensing device 20 and also controls the flow through the nozzle, which dispenses. It may be selected according to the specific fluid.

The modular dispensing device 20 allows various combinations of the actuator unit 26, the diaphragm and the dispensing unit 22, and the nozzle unit 24. Dispensing unit 22 has been conventionally used in prior art dispensing devices, and the dispenser of the present invention has been devised because there is no sliding seal in the form of failing operation when there is no seal. In this example, the diaphragm 50 is a single part used to isolate the actuator unit 26 from the dispensing unit 22. Since axial movement is allowed by the deformability of the diaphragm, the diaphragm remains fixed at both the inner and outer positions to prevent the possibility of fluid movement from the reservoir 36 to the mechanism of the actuator unit. This structure also allows for rapid exchange of the dispensing unit without loss of fluid. This structure prevents wear, friction loss, and fluid loss.

Another preferred embodiment of the actuator unit is described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18. Modified actuator unit 26a includes an elongated outer sleeve 220 forming a longitudinal extension hole 222 that extends full length. A pair of cylindrical support members 224 similar to this sleeve but arranged in opposite directions are received in the hole 222 at spaced locations. Each support member 224 has a longitudinal extension hole 226 coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the sleeve 222. Each support member 224 also has a counter bore 228. The space defined by the counter bore 228 in the lower support member 224 (FIG. 17) acts to receive a modified compression spring 112A which acts in the same way as the spring 112. The modified actuator shaft 90A is slidably received in the hole 226 of the support member 224 and is integral with the piston 92A arranged in the hole 222. As in the above embodiment, the piston 92A and the actuator shaft 92A are reciprocable along the operating shaft, which is the longitudinal axis of the outer sleeve 220. In the same manner, the piston 92A is fluidly operated, but preferably may be pneumatically operated, and the 0-shaped ring seals 230, 232 are in contact with the support member 224 at a position spaced in an opposite direction from the piston 92A. It surrounds the actuator shaft 90A. The piston 92A also has a suitable 0-type ring seal 98 as in the above embodiment. In this embodiment, to move the piston 92A downward, pressurized working fluid is introduced into the outer sleeve 220 and the ports 234 and 236 which cooperate with each other in the support member 224. The downward movement of piston 92A causes the working fluid to be discharged into support member 224 and outer sleeve 220 via ports 238 and 240. As in the case of the above embodiment, the downward movement of the piston 92A is achieved by the pressing of the spring 112A.

According to this embodiment, a modified distribution unit 22A is additionally provided. In this embodiment the modified end member 32A has an annular skirt portion 242 of dependence mechanically fastened to the appropriate annular surface 244 at the upper end of the modified cylindrical housing 36A. The outer circumferential region 52 of the diaphragm 50 is firmly attached between the housing 30A and the end member 32A. The pair of retaining rings 246 prevents longitudinal movement of the support member 224 towards the end of the sleeve 220 and at its lower end receives the receiving cavity 248 (18th) for receiving the end member 32A. Fig. When the pair of opposing holes 250, 252 in the sleeve 220 and the end member 32 are properly aligned, the appropriate fastening member 254 may use, for example, a ball and detent fastener. It is inserted through the hole to release the dispensing unit 22A on the actuator unit 26A.

The main feature of this modified structure is that the ports 234, 236, 238 and 240 of the working fluid are completely in the actuator unit 26A and have no relation to the dispensing unit 22A. As a result, the dispensing unit 22A may be attached to or detached from the actuator unit 26A without the need to separate the actuator unit from the working fluid source. In fact, the working fluid source can be connected to the actuator unit irrespective of the dispensing unit 22A mounted thereto.

Within the dispensing device 20, there are other dynamic seals, such as, for example, zero-shaped ring seals 94, 96, 98, 116, and the seals in the actuator unit 26 are not directly related to the fluid to be dispensed. This 0-type ring seal is associated with the nozzle unit but not directly with the dispensing unit.

In either case, the condition of the 0-shaped ring is easily observable, easily removed along the nozzle unit and can be replaced if worn out.

Moreover, it is not a dynamic seal or a sliding seal, which is a type of seal that is relevant to and alternative to the present invention.

Claims (10)

A modular dispensing system for allowing rapid exchange of dispensing units and dispensing fluid in the correct amount, comprising: a housing (30) forming a reservoir (36) for storing fluid under pressure, and dispensing fluid when open A self-contained dispensing unit 22 including a dispensing unit for stopping or preventing dispensing when in a closed state; A self-contained actuator unit 26 including actuating means for actuating said dispensing unit along the actuating axis between the open and closed states; Locking means (122,124,126,128) mutually engageable in said actuator unit and said dispensing unit for releasably attaching said dispensing unit to said actuator unit; A deformable diaphragm extending transverse to the actuation axis and sealingly fixed between the housing and the valve stem for isolating the reservoir with actuation means, the dispensing unit being able to change quickly without any possibility of leakage of the stored fluid ( 50. A modular distribution system comprising: 50). 2. The actuator of claim 1 wherein the actuator means is within a cylindrical body 82 having a cavity at one end, a piston means 92 releasably attached to the valve means 66 and included in the body; Actuating means for reciprocating piston means along the actuating axis; Modular dispensing system, characterized in that the housing of the dispensing unit comprises an end member (32) receivable in the cavity of the cylindrical body. 3. The locking means (122), (124), (126), (128) includes an annular groove (122) formed in the end member (32), and a set screw (124) engageable with the annular groove (122) and screwed with the body. Modular distribution system, characterized in that. 3. The end member 32 and the cylindrical body 82 in the assembled form of the system form a piston cavity which is bisected by the piston means contained therein, and part of the piston cavity. Is expanded by the movement of the piston to occupy the dispensing unit comprising an at least one port (100, 106) for allowing fluid or gas to enter under pressure, the pressurized fluid or gas having actuation means And the modular dispensing system comprises deflection means 112 for deflecting the piston means such that the dispensing unit occupies a closed position, the force of the deflection means being operated against the force of the pressurized fluid or gas. Modular distribution system, characterized in that. A housing (30) for forming a reservoir (36) for containing fluid under pressure; A valve seat (41) on the housing forming an outlet for dispensing fluid from the reservoir; Is movable along the operating axis between a closed position in contact with the valve seat for stopping or preventing dispensing of fluid from the reservoir and an open position spaced from the valve seat for dispensing fluid from the reservoir; Valve means (66) having a spherical surface facing said valve seat; An actuator unit (26) having an actuation mechanism for moving said valve means along an actuating shaft between said open and closed positions; A valve stem 58 moveable along an actuation axis to move the actuation mechanism up to the valve means and having an axis coincident with the actuation axis; And a deformable diaphragm 50 for isolating the reservoir from the actuator, which is hermetically fixed in a region spaced from the valve stem and the housing and extends transversely to the actuation axis. system. 6. The actuator means according to claim 5, wherein the actuator means comprises a valve stem 58 or 58 and 62 extending away from the actuation mechanism, the actuator shaft comprising a valve stem 58 or in an end-to-end relationship. And a diaphragm attached to the valve stem, the diaphragm comprising a central region fixed to the valve stem and a peripheral region fixed to the housing. 7. The actuator according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the actuating mechanism comprises a piston 92 and a cylindrical body 82 axially movable in the cylindrical body between the first and second positions, wherein the valve means Engages with valve seat 41 to occupy a closed position when the piston is in the first position, and opens when the piston is in the second position to dispense fluid from reservoir 36 by disengaging the valve means from the valve seat. Modular distribution system, characterized by occupying a position. A dispensing unit (22) for dispensing fluid in one of the plurality of open states and for stopping or preventing dispensing when in a closed state; An actuator unit 26 for operating the dispensing unit between an open state and a closed state having an actuating mechanism and a cylindrical body 82, and for dispensing the dispensing means in any one of a plurality of open and closed states. An adjusting unit 28 for selectively adjusting the actuating means; The adjusting means is formed integrally with the operating mechanism and threaded shank 130, tubular studs 132 that are screwed with the shank and threaded inside and outside and the external threading is coarser than the internal threading; A stroke adjuster nut 134 screwed onto the stud and keyed to the actuator body to prevent relative movement with respect to the actuating shaft, the adjuster nut having the piston floating relative to the extreme surface of the actuator body, or Operating axis for multiple positions between a first position that is not actuated or is movable or operable to the minimum range and the second position which opens the valve gate to the fully open position by the piston being movable or operable to its maximum range Modular dispensing sheath, characterized in that it is movable along an operating axis coinciding with the rotation of the stud around . 9. Manual means (148) for rotating said studs in a separate incremental step as recited in claim 8, in order to move said stroke adjustment nut in a similar distinct incremental step between said first and second positions. Modular distribution system characterized in that it comprises a). 9. A closed position according to claim 8, wherein the housing (30) forms a reservoir (36) for storing fluid under pressure, and a closed position in contact with said valve seat to prevent or prevent dispensing of fluid from said reservoir. And valve means (41) on the housing defining a valve gate movable along the operating axis between the valve and the open position away from the valve seat for dispensing the fluid and an outlet for dispensing fluid from the reservoir. (41,66) and an actuating mechanism having a piston (92) movable along the operating axis between a first position in which the valve gate is closed and a second position in which the valve gate is fully open. Modular distribution system.