JP6831983B2 - Pneumatic dispenser cartridge - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cartridge mounted on a pneumatic dispenser that discharges a viscous material by pressurization with a compressed gas.

There is already a field dealing with viscous materials. Applications of such viscous materials include sealants for mechanical or electronic components, encapsulants, coatings, greases, resin compositions (eg epoxy resins), adhesives, electrical and electronic circuit forming pastes, electronic component mounting. There is solder for use. Such viscous materials are used, for example, in the aerospace industry and the electrical and electronic equipment industry.

In order to apply the viscous material to the target object, a pneumatic dispenser that discharges the viscous material by pressurization with a compressed gas is used. In this type of pneumatic dispenser, a plunger or piston is fitted to the cylinder. By the fitting, the internal space of the cylinder is separated into a filling chamber in which the viscous material is to be filled from the outside and a pressurizing chamber in which the compressed gas is to be introduced from the outside.

In order to discharge the viscous material toward the target object using this type of pneumatic dispenser, it is first necessary to fill the filling chamber in the cylinder of the pneumatic dispenser with the viscous material. After the filling, the plunger is pressurized with the compressed gas in the pressurizing chamber in the pneumatic dispenser to discharge the viscous material toward the target object.

The present inventors fill a filling chamber in a conventional cartridge formed by fitting a conventional plunger into a cylinder with a viscous material, and after the filling, attach the cartridge to a pneumatic dispenser and use the pneumatic dispenser. The experiment of discharging the viscous material was repeated.

As a result, the present inventors have obtained the following findings. That is, in the filling stage, there is a desire to allow the air existing in the filling chamber to pass through the clearance between the plunger and the cylinder (planned air bleeding, that is, degassing of the viscous material), and after the air bleeding. , A seal is formed between the plunger and the cylinder, thereby simultaneously fulfilling the desire to prevent the viscous material from leaking from the filling chamber to the pressurizing chamber unexpectedly (viscosity material leakage prevention). I got the finding that it is important.

Further, in the discharge stage, it is important to form a seal portion between the plunger and the cylinder to prevent the compressed gas from leaking from the pressurizing chamber to the filling chamber (compressed gas leakage prevention). I also got the finding that there is. If the compressed gas leaks from the pressurizing chamber to the filling chamber unexpectedly, there is a problem that the viscous material is not normally discharged from the pneumatic dispenser, and the compressed gas is contained in the filling chamber containing the viscous material to be discharged from now on. There is a possibility that the gas may enter unplannedly and air bubbles may be mixed in the viscous material.

To fulfill some of the above requirements, we have developed a new plunger. The plunger is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

Specifically, at least two lands extending in the circumferential direction are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the plunger. These lands have a first land close to the filling chamber and a second land close to the pressurizing chamber. Since the second land has a larger diameter than the first land, the radial clearance formed between the tip surface of the second land and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder is such that the tip surface of the first land and the inside of the cylinder have a radial clearance. It is smaller than the radial clearance formed between the peripheral surface.

When this plunger is fitted into the cylinder to form a cartridge for a pneumatic dispenser and the cartridge is used to experience the filling step, the air in the filling chamber initially contains the first land and the second land and the cylinder. It passes through the respective clearances between the and, and exits into the pressurizing chamber.

When the air bleeding (that is, degassing of the viscous material) is completed, a part of the viscous material in the filling chamber passes through the radial clearance upstream of the first land between the plunger and the cylinder to the first. It reaches the land, which completes the first seal between the first land and the cylinder. A part of the viscous material to be filled forms the first seal portion.

Eventually, another portion of the viscous material reaches the second land, which completes the second seal between the second land and the cylinder. Another part of the viscous material to be filled forms the second seal. In the filling step, it is possible to prevent the viscous material from leaking from the filling chamber to the pressurizing chamber after both the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion are completed.

In the subsequent discharge stage, both the first seal portion and the second seal portion are completed from the beginning. Therefore, when the compressed gas is introduced into the pressurizing chamber, the compressed gas is blocked by the second seal portion. Therefore, the compressed gas from the pressurizing chamber is prevented from leaking to the filling chamber.

Japanese Patent No. 5101743

The present inventors repeated experiments using this plunger, and as a result, obtained the following new findings.

That is, in the discharge stage of the plunger, the compressed gas is introduced from the outside into the pressurizing chamber located behind the plunger. As a result, the back pressure of the plunger suddenly rises with respect to the pressure of the filling chamber, and thrust is generated in the plunger. Thanks to the thrust, the plunger advances toward the filling chamber, and as a result, the viscous material is discharged from the filling chamber to the outside.

Ideally, the plunger may be subjected to a compressed gas so that the back pressure acts on the plunger so that a moment in the direction of tilting the plunger with respect to the cylinder, that is, a prying moment, does not occur on the plunger. is important.

This is because when such a prying moment is generated, the plunger tilts with respect to the cylinder, and as a result, the plunger is displaced outward in the radial direction at a certain part and strongly contacts the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder. This is because there is a tendency for the cylinder to be displaced inward in the radial direction and separated from the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder at another portion.

When the plunger is locally separated from the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder, the radial clearance between the plunger and the cylinder is locally expanded, and the viscous material filling the expanded portion is locally cracked. When the compressed gas enters the crack from the pressurizing chamber, the crack expands in the axial direction, and in the worst case, an unplanned passage is formed to communicate the pressurizing chamber and the filling chamber with each other. Will be done. In the passage, compressed gas is unexpectedly introduced into the viscous material to be discharged, which is filled in the filling chamber, and as a result, air bubbles are mixed in the viscous material.

However, in practice, it is not possible to operate the plunger so that the back pressure acts on the plunger so that the plunger does not generate any of the prying moments.

Based on these findings, the present invention is a cartridge that is mounted on a pneumatic dispenser that discharges a viscous material using compressed gas and has a plunger fitted to a cylinder, and discharges the viscous material from the pneumatic dispenser. At the stage, the object was to provide a device that suppresses the tendency of the plunger to tilt significantly toward the cylinder unexpectedly and the plunger to stick to the cylinder.

In order to solve this problem , according to an aspect of the present invention, the cartridge is mounted on a pneumatic dispenser that discharges a viscous material by pressurization with a compressed gas, and a plunger is fitted in a cylinder.
The internal space of the cylinder is separated into a filling chamber in which the viscous material should be filled from the outside and a pressurizing chamber in which the compressed gas should be introduced from the outside by fitting the plunger into the cylinder. Being done
The plunger has at least one ridge having at least an axially extending component on its outer peripheral surface extending over the entire length of the outer peripheral surface, whereby the plunger is fitted to the cylinder. In this state, a clearance is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the plunger and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder so as to extend between the filling chamber and the pressurizing chamber.
The clearance has a shape and a size, and the shape and the size are such that a part of the viscous material is filled in the clearance at the stage of filling the cylinder with the viscous material, and the clearance is the one. In the unfinished state of the seal before it is completely filled with the viscous material of the portion, degassing is realized in which the gas existing in the cylinder passes through the clearance, but the clearance is due to the part of the viscous material. When the seal is completely filled, the part of the viscous material functions as a sealing member between the cylinder and the plunger to prevent the viscous material and the gas from leaking from the clearance. A cartridge that is set to be provided is provided.
Further , according to one aspect of the present invention, the cartridge is mounted on a pneumatic dispenser that discharges a viscous material by pressurization with a compressed gas, and a plunger is fitted in a cylinder.
In a state where the plunger is fitted to the cylinder, a clearance is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the plunger and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder.
The clearance has a shape and a size, and the shape and the size are such that a part of the viscous material is filled in the clearance at the stage of filling the cylinder with the viscous material, and the clearance is the one. In the unfinished state of the seal before it is completely filled with the viscous material of the portion, degassing is realized in which the gas existing in the cylinder passes through the clearance, but the clearance is due to the part of the viscous material. When the seal is completely filled, the part of the viscous material functions as a sealing member between the cylinder and the plunger to prevent the viscous material and the gas from leaking from the clearance. A cartridge set to be provided is provided.

In one example of this cartridge, the plunger is loosely fitted into the cylinder, thereby achieving a loose fit of the plunger to the cylinder, which loose fits between the plunger and the cylinder. A clearance is formed .

In another example of the cartridge, the viscous material has fluidity both at the stage of filling the cartridge with the viscous material and at the stage of discharging the viscous material from the cartridge.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the cartridge is mounted on a pneumatic dispenser that discharges a viscous material by pressurization with a compressed gas and a plunger is fitted in a cylinder.
In a state where the plunger is fitted to the cylinder, a plurality of thin-walled regions and a plurality of thick-walled regions extending in a direction having at least an axially extending component between the outer peripheral surface of the plunger and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder. It has a clearance configured so that the regions are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction.
In the unfinished seal state before a part of the viscous material is filled in the clearance and the clearance is completely filled by the part of the viscous material in the stage of filling the cylinder with the viscous material. Although degassing is realized in which the gas existing in the cylinder passes through the clearance, the viscosity of the part is in the completed state of the seal after the clearance is completely filled with the part of the viscous material. A cartridge is provided in which the material functions as a sealing member between the cylinder and the plunger to prevent the viscous material and the gas from leaking from the clearance.

Further, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the cartridge is mounted on a pneumatic dispenser that discharges a viscous material by pressurization with a compressed gas, and a plunger is fitted in a cylinder.
The plunger includes an axially extending tubular outer peripheral surface.
The outer peripheral surface is configured such that a plurality of ridges each having a component extending in the axial direction and a plurality of grooves each having a component extending in the axial direction are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction.
A cylindrical clearance continuous in both the axial direction and the circumferential direction is formed as a continuous clearance between the outer peripheral surface of the plunger and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder.
Cartridges are provided in which the width dimension of each ridge is narrower than the width dimension of each groove.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the cartridge is mounted on a pneumatic dispenser that discharges a viscous material by pressurization with a compressed gas, and a plunger is fitted in a cylinder.
The plunger includes an axially extending tubular outer peripheral surface.
The outer peripheral surface is configured such that a plurality of ridges each having a component extending in the axial direction and a plurality of grooves each having a component extending in the axial direction are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction.
A cylindrical clearance continuous in both the axial direction and the circumferential direction is formed as a continuous clearance between the outer peripheral surface of the plunger and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder.
A cartridge having an uneven surface on the outer peripheral surface of the plunger is provided.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the cartridge is mounted on a pneumatic dispenser that discharges a viscous material by pressurization with a compressed gas, and a plunger is fitted in a cylinder.
The plunger includes an axially extending tubular outer peripheral surface.
The outer peripheral surface is configured such that a plurality of ridges each having a component extending in the axial direction and a plurality of grooves each having a component extending in the axial direction are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction.
A cylindrical clearance continuous in both the axial direction and the circumferential direction is formed as a continuous clearance between the outer peripheral surface of the plunger and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder.
At least one of the plurality of ridges is provided with a cartridge that extends substantially all of the length dimensions of the plunger.

Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, it is a cartridge mounted on a pneumatic dispenser that discharges a viscous material by pressurization with a compressed gas.
Cylinder and
A plunger loosely fitted to the cylinder, including one in which a loose fit of the plunger to the cylinder creates an axially extending clearance between the plunger and the cylinder.
The internal space of the cylinder is separated into a filling chamber in which the viscous material should be filled from the outside and a pressurizing chamber in which the compressed gas should be introduced from the outside by fitting the plunger into the cylinder. Being done
In the stage of filling the filling chamber of the cartridge with the viscous material, a part of the viscous material filled in the filling chamber from the outside is filled in the clearance, and the part filled in the clearance is filled. As the viscous material, a cartridge that functions as a sealing member between the cylinder and the plunger is provided at the stage of discharging the viscous material from the filling chamber of the cartridge.

According to the present invention, the following aspects can be obtained. Each aspect is divided into sections, each section is numbered, and if necessary, the numbers of other sections are cited. This is to facilitate understanding of some of the technical features that can be adopted by the present invention and combinations thereof, and the technical features that can be adopted by the present invention and combinations thereof are limited to the following aspects. Should not be interpreted as. That is, it should be interpreted that it is not hindered from appropriately extracting and adopting the technical features described in the present specification as the technical features of the present invention, which are not described in the following aspects.

Furthermore, describing each term in the form of quoting the numbers of the other sections does not necessarily prevent the technical features described in each section from being separated and independent from the technical features described in the other sections. It does not mean, and it should be interpreted that the technical features described in each section can be made independent as appropriate according to their properties.

(1) A plunger used by being fitted to the cylinder of a pneumatic dispenser that discharges a viscous material by pressurizing with a compressed gas.
The internal space of the cylinder is separated into a filling chamber in which the viscous material should be filled from the outside and a pressurizing chamber in which the compressed gas should be introduced from the outside by fitting the plunger into the cylinder. Being done
The plunger is
A tubular body that extends in the axial direction and has an outer peripheral surface,
A seal portion formed between the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder when the plunger is fitted to the cylinder is included.
The outer peripheral surface has a radial clearance substantially all around the inner peripheral surface in a concentric fitting state in which the plunger is concentrically fitted to the cylinder, whereby the said. A cylindrical clearance continuous in both the axial direction and the circumferential direction is formed as a continuous clearance between the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface.
When the viscous material is filled into the filling chamber from the outside, the continuous clearance is filled with a part of the viscous material, whereby the seal portion is formed, and the part of the viscous material becomes the viscous material. A plunger for a pneumatic dispenser that blocks the remaining portion from leaking from the filling chamber to the pressurizing chamber.

(2) The dimension of the radial clearance is set to the lower limit value of the radial clearance required for the plunger to be slidably fitted to the cylinder in the axial direction without substantially rattling, and is described from the filling chamber. At the substantially final stage of the ejection process in which the viscous material is ejected to the outside, the radius required for the continuous clearance to be substantially completely filled by a portion of the viscous material in its circumferential and axial directions. The plunger for a pneumatic dispenser according to item (1), which is set so that the directional clearance is the upper limit value.

(3) A plunger used by being fitted to the cylinder of a pneumatic dispenser that discharges a viscous material by pressurizing with a compressed gas.
The internal space of the cylinder is separated into a filling chamber in which the viscous material should be filled from the outside and a pressurizing chamber in which the compressed gas should be introduced from the outside by fitting the plunger into the cylinder. Being done
The plunger is
A tubular body that extends in the axial direction and has an outer peripheral surface,
On the outer peripheral surface, at least one ridge extending in the generally axial direction is formed by arranging the ridges so as to be discrete with each other in the circumferential direction when the ridges are a plurality of ridges. A seal portion that seals between the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder in a state where the plunger is fitted to the cylinder is included.
The outer peripheral surface has a radial clearance substantially all around the inner peripheral surface in a concentric fitting state in which the plunger is concentrically fitted to the cylinder, whereby the said. A cylindrical clearance continuous in both the axial direction and the circumferential direction is formed as a continuous clearance between the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface.
When the viscous material is filled into the filling chamber from the outside, the continuous clearance is filled with a part of the viscous material, whereby the seal portion is formed, and the part of the viscous material becomes the viscous material. A plunger for a pneumatic dispenser that blocks the remaining portion from leaking from the filling chamber to the pressurizing chamber.

(4) In the filling step in which the viscous material is filled into the filling chamber from the outside, a part of the viscous material enters the continuous clearance from the filling chamber, whereby the continuous clearance is a part of the continuous clearance. Filling which is a viscous material Filled by a viscous material,
In the filled state, the fluidity of the filled viscous material in the continuous clearance is higher in the axial direction and in the circumferential direction, and the ridge region of the outer peripheral surface on which the ridge is formed and the outer circumference. The filling viscous material is allowed to flow between the surface and the groove region where the ridge is not formed, whereby the continuous clearance is filled by the filling viscous material both axially and circumferentially. To be promoted,
In a fully filled state in which the continuous clearance is completely filled by the filling viscous material, the filling viscous material itself causes the remaining portion of the viscous material to leak into the pressurizing chamber. Blocked
In the incompletely filled state before the transition to the fully filled state, the unplanned gas that is unplanned in the filling chamber passes through the portion of the continuous clearance that is not filled by the filling viscous material and is added. Allowed to exit the pressure chamber,
In the discharge step in which the compressed gas is introduced into the pressurizing chamber in order to discharge the viscous material from the filling chamber in the completely filled state, the compressed gas may leak from the pressurizing chamber to the filling chamber. The plunger for a pneumatic dispenser according to item (3), which is blocked by the filling viscous material.

(5) The plunger is elastically deformed in the radial direction at at least one ridge, so that when the tip of the ridge comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface, the ridge is elastically deformed inward in the radial direction. The plunger for a pneumatic dispenser according to item (3) or (4), wherein the ridge is prevented from coming into strong contact with the inner peripheral surface.

(6) The plunger for a pneumatic dispenser according to any one of (3) to (5), wherein each ridge has a width dimension narrower than a groove arranged on the outer peripheral surface so as to be adjacent to the ridge.

(7) The air pressure according to any one of (3) to (6), wherein at least one of the at least one ridge extends over substantially all of the length dimensions of the plunger. Plunger for dispenser.

(8) The air pressure according to any one of (3) to (7), wherein at least one of the at least one ridge has a width dimension that increases from the filling chamber to the pressurizing chamber. Plunger for dispenser.

(9) The empty space according to any one of (3) to (8), wherein at least one of the at least one ridge has a height dimension that increases from the filling chamber to the pressurizing chamber. Plunger for pressure dispenser.

(10) In any one of the items (3) to (9), at least one of the at least one ridge is formed by arranging a plurality of ridge segments discretely with each other in an axial direction. Plunger for pneumatic dispenser described in.

(11) The plunger for a pneumatic dispenser according to any one of (3) to (10), wherein the outer peripheral surface is a smooth surface or an uneven surface having substantially no surface unevenness.

(12) The plunger for a pneumatic dispenser according to any one of (3) to (11), wherein the length dimension of the plunger is longer than the diameter dimension of the plunger.

(13) The plunger according to any one of (1) to (12) and
A set including the cylinder according to any one of (1) to (12).

(14) The inner outline of the figure representing the cross section of the inner peripheral surface is the circumference.
The plunger for a pneumatic dispenser according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein the outer outline of the figure representing the cross section of the outer peripheral surface is a circumference having a diameter smaller than the circumference.

(15) The inner outline of the figure representing the cross section of the inner peripheral surface is the circumference.
The pneumatic dispenser according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein the outer outline of the figure representing the cross section of the outer peripheral surface is a non-circular closed line circumscribing the circumference having a diameter smaller than the circumference. For plunger.

According to the present invention, when the plunger is fitted into the cylinder, there is a continuous clearance between the outer peripheral surface of the plunger and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder in both the circumferential direction and the axial direction (hereinafter, simply "continuous clearance"). ) Is formed.

When the filling chamber in the cylinder is filled with the viscous material from the outside while the continuous clearance is formed, the continuous clearance is entirely filled with a part of the viscous material. The continuous clearance filled with a part of the viscous material functions as a sealing part as a whole, and at that time, a part of the viscous material to be filled forms the sealing part.

Therefore, according to the present invention, in the stage of filling the cylinder with the viscous material, the planned air bleeding (that is, degassing of the viscous material) is realized before the seal portion is completed, and the above-mentioned After the seal is completed, unplanned leakage of viscous material is prevented.

Further, according to the present invention, the continuous clearance is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the plunger and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder, so that the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface is larger than the inner diameter of the inner peripheral surface. Is reduced by a larger proportion than when is used.

As a result, of the outer peripheral surface of the plunger, the entire length of the outer peripheral surface of the simultaneous contactable portion (for example, the outer peripheral surface of the simultaneous contactable portion) that may simultaneously contact the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder at each moment. The total length over the circumference or the total length of the curve obtained when the outer peripheral surface of the simultaneous contact possibility portion is virtually cut at a specific axial position) is the circumference described above. Less than when directional lands are used.

When the simultaneous contactable portion is reduced, the resistance when the plunger slides the cylinder in the axial direction is reduced as compared with the case where the above-mentioned circumferential land is used. This facilitates the plunger to slide more smoothly than when the aforementioned circumferential lands are used.

As a result, even if the prying moment is unexpectedly generated in the plunger, the plunger tilts with respect to the cylinder, and the plunger locally contacts the cylinder, the possibility that the plunger stays in the same axial position is reduced. To do. It is possible to prevent the plunger from sticking to the cylinder due to the prying of the plunger.

Preventing the plunger from sticking also prevents the generation of a larger prying moment, prevents the plunger from tilting significantly with respect to the cylinder, and thus prevents the plunger from making strong local contact with the cylinder. ..

As a result, local cracks are prevented in the completed seal due to the tilting of the plunger.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the tendency of the plunger to tilt unexpectedly with respect to the cylinder is suppressed.

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing a cartridge using a plunger according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention in a state of being loaded in a pneumatic dispenser. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the cartridge shown in FIG. 3 (a) is a perspective view showing the plunger shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a cartridge using the plunger shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 (c) is a cross-sectional view. , FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX. In FIG. 4, when the viscous material is being filled into the filling chamber from the outside in the cartridge shown in FIG. 1, the viscous material moves from the filling chamber to the clearance between the plunger and the cylinder, and the seal portion is eventually opened. It is a perspective view which shows the appearance of formation conceptually. FIG. 5A is a side view showing an example of the plunger shown in FIG. 1 having a ridge whose width dimension does not change along the axis, and FIG. 5B is a side view of the plunger shown in FIG. It is a side view which shows another example having a ridge whose width dimension gradually changes along an axis, and FIG. 5C is still another example of the plunger shown in FIG. 1, and a plurality of ridges. -It is a side view which shows the segment which has a ridge which is arranged in a line discretely. FIG. 6A is a side view showing an example of the plunger shown in FIG. 1 having a ridge whose height dimension does not change along the axis, and FIG. 6B is a side view showing the plunger shown in FIG. It is a side view which shows another example of having a ridge whose height dimension gradually changes along an axis. FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a container set in a filling device used to carry out a filling method for filling the cartridge shown in FIG. 2 with a viscous material, in which an extrusion piston is inserted into the container. is there. FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional front view showing the filling device. FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing the filling device. FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional front view showing a main part of the filling device in a used state. FIG. 11 is a process diagram showing the filling method together with the viscous material manufacturing method carried out prior to the filling method. FIG. 12 (a) is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a cartridge using a plunger according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 (b) is a YY line in FIG. 12 (a). It is a cross-sectional view of. FIG. 13 (a) is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a cartridge using an example of a plunger according to an exemplary third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 (b) is another view of the plunger according to the third embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the main part of the cartridge which uses an example.

Hereinafter, some of the more specific and exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a partial cross-sectional side view of a cartridge 12 in which a plunger 10 according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention is fitted to a cylinder 18. In the cartridge 12, the cylinder 18 is pre-filled with the viscous material 14, the discharge nozzle 16 is detachably attached to the tip of the cylinder 18, and the cartridge 12 is a handheld type (even the gun type shown in FIG. 1 is not shown). It is shown in a state (assembled state and used state) in which the dispenser 20 is detachably loaded (a straight type is also possible).

First, to explain the dispenser 20, as shown in FIG. 1, the dispenser 20 has a cylindrical retainer 22 and a main body portion 24 that is detachably attached to the retainer 22. The main body 24 is a handle 26 gripped by an operator and a trigger mounted so as to be relatively displaceable with respect to the handle 26 (lever, switch, button, etc., in any case, an example of an operating member). It has 28 and.

The main body 24 further has a pneumatic control unit 30. The pneumatic control unit 30 has a valve 32 operated by a trigger 28, which fluidly and selectively connects a chamber 33 located behind the plunger 10 and a hose connection port 34 to each other. Connecting. A high-pressure source 38 for supplying compressed gas is connected to the hose connection port 34 via a flexible hose 36.

When the trigger 28 is pulled by the operator, the valve 32 switches from the closed position to the open position, and as a result, the compressed gas from the high pressure source 38 passes through the valve 32 and is introduced into the chamber (pressurizing chamber) 33. .. When the compressed gas acts behind the plunger 10, the plunger 10 advances relative to the cylinder 18 (moves to the left in FIG. 1), whereby the viscous material 14 is discharged from the cylinder 18. .. An example of a viscous material 14 is a highly viscous and non-conductive sealant, and an example of its use is for sealing aircraft parts.

Next, to schematically explain the cartridge 12, as shown in FIG. 2 which is a side sectional view, the cartridge 12 is configured by fitting the plunger 10 into the cylinder 18. As the material of the plunger 10, PE (polyethylene) or PP (polypropylene) is selected, a synthetic resin having almost the same elasticity as that is selected, a synthetic resin having higher elasticity is selected, or a synthetic resin having lower elasticity is selected. It is possible to select a synthetic resin or a synthetic rubber (for example, NBR). A material called synthetic rubber has lower rigidity than synthetic resins such as PE and PP, and instead has high elasticity.

Next, to explain the cylinder 18 in more detail, the cylinder 18 has a cylindrical internal space 70, and the plunger 10 is removable, substantially airtight, and axially slidable in the internal space 70. It is fitted.

Specifically, in the cylinder 18, the cylindrical main body 60 extending straight in a uniform cross section and the hollow bottom 62 connected to one of both ends of the main body 60 are coaxial with each other. Have in. The bottom portion 62 has a tubular portion 64 having a diameter smaller than that of the main body portion 60 at the tip thereof, and has a tapered portion 66 on the side connected to the main body portion 60. The through hole in the cylinder portion 64 is the discharge port 67 of the cylinder 18, and as shown in FIG. 1, the discharge nozzle 16 is detachably attached to the cylinder portion 64 (for example, by screw coupling). The other end of the body 60 is an opening 68. An example of the material constituting the cylinder 18 is PP (polypropylene), but the material is not limited thereto.

In the present embodiment, the viscous material 14 is filled into the cartridge 12 from the outside (the container 112 shown in FIG. 7) so as to pass through the discharge port 67 of the cartridge 12, and after the filling, the viscous material 14 is discharged. The viscous material 14 is discharged from the cartridge 12 through the same passage, that is, the passage in the discharge port 67 (the passage having the smallest diameter among the cylinders 18). That is, the viscous material 14 enters and exits the cartridge 12 so as to pass through the discharge port 67, which is the minimum diameter passage.

As shown in FIG. 2, the internal space 70 of the cylinder 18 is formed by a plunger 10 into a filling chamber 72 for accommodating the viscous material 14 and a pressurizing chamber 74 into which the compressed gas is introduced. It is separated. The filling chamber 72 communicates with the discharge port 67, while the pressurizing chamber 74 is connected to the high pressure source 38 via the chamber 33 and the valve 32, as shown in FIG.

Next, to explain the plunger 10 in more detail, as shown in FIG. 3A, the plunger 10 has a tubular main body 80 extending in the axial direction. The main body 80 has a coaxial outer peripheral surface 82, and the outer peripheral surface 82 of the cylinder 18 is in a state where the plunger 10 is fitted to the cylinder 18 (hereinafter, simply referred to as “fitting state”). It faces the inner peripheral surface 84 in the radial direction.

In one example, as shown in FIGS. 3 (b) and 3 (c), the main body 80 has a hollow peripheral wall 86 extending in the axial direction in the same cross section, and a bottom 88 that closes one end of the peripheral wall 86. Has. In another example, the body 80, although not shown, has a complete or partial solid portion extending axially in the same cross section and a bottom portion formed at one end of the solid portion.

In one example, the outer surface 90 of the bottom 88 is a curved surface (for example, a hemispherical surface) that is convex outward but has no vertices, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3C. In another example, the outer surface 90 of the bottom 88 is, although not shown, a conical surface that is outwardly convex and has vertices.

As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, in the plunger 10, a plurality of ridges 100 and a plurality of grooves 102, which generally extend in the axial direction, are formed on the outer peripheral surface 82 of the main body 80, respectively. Are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction. As a result, a seal portion 104 that seals the space between the outer peripheral surface 82 of the plunger 10 and the inner peripheral surface 84 of the cylinder 18 is configured.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the tips of the plurality of ridges 100 approach the inner peripheral surface 84 of the cylinder 18 from the plurality of grooves 102 in the fitted state within a range that does not contact the inner peripheral surface 84 of the cylinder 18, thereby. In the mated state, a tubular clearance continuous in both the axial direction and the circumferential direction is defined as the continuous clearance 106 between the plurality of ridges 100 and the plurality of grooves 102 and the inner peripheral surface 84 of the cylinder 18. It is formed.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the viscous material 14 is filled in the filling chamber 72 from the outside, the continuous clearance 106 is sequentially filled from the upstream side region to the downstream side region by a part of the viscous material 14. At that time, a part of the viscous material 14 moves from the upstream side to the downstream side mainly in the axial direction more quickly than the other parts in each groove 102 as shown by the arrow A. Further, another part of the viscous material 14 moves mainly from the upstream side to the downstream side in the axial direction as shown by an arrow B in each ridge 100, but yet another part of the viscous material 14 moves. As indicated by arrows C, D, E and F, it first moves mainly in the axial direction along each groove 102, then moves in the circumferential direction from the groove 102, and moves to the ridge 100 adjacent to the groove 102. To do.

As described above, in the filling step, a part of the viscous material 14 moves in the continuous clearance 106 in both the axial direction and the circumferential direction, so that the entire continuous clearance 106 is filled with the part of the viscous material 14. Will be done. As a result, a part of the viscous material 14 that fills the continuous clearance 106 and supplied from the filling chamber 72 blocks another part of the viscous material 14 from leaking from the filling chamber 72 to the pressurizing chamber 74. To do. That is, a part of the viscous material 14 forms the seal portion 104, and specifically, a part of the viscous material 14 forms the seal portion 104 in order to seal the remaining portion.

At the end of this filling step, that is, when the filling chamber 72 is filled with the specified amount of viscous material 14, the continuous clearance 106 is completely filled with the viscous material 14 and the continuous clearance 106 protrudes downstream. The shape (for example, the number of ridges 100, the shape of each ridge 100) and the size (for example, the width dimension and the height dimension of the ridge 100), and the plunger 10 so that the amount of the viscous material 14 does not exceed the specified amount. Multiple factors including the surface roughness of are set respectively.

To illustrate the effect of these factors, as the number of ridges 100 increases, the resistance when the viscous material 14 moves within the continuous clearance 106 increases, and the moving speed decreases. Similarly, the larger the width dimension of each ridge 100 (that is, the smaller the width dimension of each groove 102), the greater the resistance when the viscous material 14 moves within the continuous clearance 106, and the moving speed thereof increases. descend. Similarly, as the height dimension of the ridge 100 is smaller, the resistance when the viscous material 14 moves within the continuous clearance 106 increases, and the moving speed decreases.

Further, when the surface of the plunger 10 is an uneven surface, the resistance when the viscous material 14 moves within the continuous clearance 106 is increased as compared with the case where the surface is a smooth surface having substantially no surface unevenness. The movement speed decreases.

To explain the behavior of the viscous material 14 in more detail, in the filling step in which the viscous material 14 is filled into the filling chamber 72 from the outside, a part of the viscous material 14 enters the continuous clearance 106 from the filling chamber 72, and the viscous material 14 enters the continuous clearance 106. The continuous clearance 106 is filled with the filling viscous material 14, which is a part of the viscous material 14.

In the filled state, the fluidity of the filling viscous material 14 in the continuous clearance 106 is higher in the circumferential direction in the axial direction of the plunger 10 and the filling viscous material is between the ridge 100 and the groove 102 adjacent to each other. 14 is allowed to flow in the circumferential direction, thereby facilitating the continuous clearance 106 being filled by the filling viscous material 14 both axially and circumferentially in the plunger 10.

In the fully filled state in which the continuous clearance 106 is completely filled by the filling viscous material 14, the filling viscosity means that the remaining portion of the viscous material 14 leaks from the filling chamber 72 to the pressurizing chamber 74 due to the filling viscous material 14. Blocked by material 14.

In the incompletely filled state before shifting to the fully filled state, unplanned gas existing in the filling chamber 72 passes through the portion of the continuous clearance 106 that is not filled by the filling viscous material 14. It is allowed to escape to the pressure chamber 74.

In the discharge process in which the compressed gas is introduced into the pressurizing chamber 74 in order to discharge the viscous material 14 from the filling chamber 72 in the completely filled state, the compression gas leaks from the pressurizing chamber 74 to the filling chamber 72 to fill the viscosity. Blocked by material 14.

As is clear from the above description, according to the present embodiment, a plurality of ridges 100 extending in the axial direction are formed discretely in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface 82 of the plunger 10. In a concentric fitting state in which the plunger 10 is completely concentrically fitted to the cylinder 18, it is continuous in both the circumferential direction and the axial direction between the outer peripheral surface 82 of the plunger 10 and the inner peripheral surface 84 of the cylinder 18. A continuous clearance 106 is formed. At this time, since a radial clearance is also formed between the tip surface of each ridge 100 and the inner peripheral surface 84 of the cylinder 18, the continuous clearance 106 is not divided by each ridge 100.

When a part of the viscous material 14 is filled from the outside into the filling chamber 72 in the cylinder 18 with the continuous clearance 106 formed, the continuous clearance 106 is entirely filled with the part of the viscous material 14. Cylinder. The continuous clearance 106 filled with a part of the viscous material 14 functions as a sealing portion 104 as a whole, and at that time, a part of the viscous material 14 to be filled forms the sealing portion 104.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, in the filling stage of the viscous material 14, the planned air bleeding (that is, degassing of the viscous material 14 in the filling chamber 72) is realized before the completion of the sealing portion 104. In addition, after the seal portion 104 is completed, an unplanned leak of the viscous material 14 is prevented, and further, in the discharge stage of the viscous material 14, an unplanned leak of the compressed gas is prevented throughout the entire process. Is prevented.

Further, according to the present embodiment, a continuous clearance 106 is formed between the outer peripheral surface 82 of the plunger 10 and the inner peripheral surface 84 of the cylinder 18, whereby the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface 82 is the inner diameter of the inner peripheral surface 84. Therefore, it is made smaller by a larger ratio than when the above-mentioned circumferential land is used.

As a result, of the outer peripheral surface 82 of the plunger 10, a simultaneously contactable portion (for example, the outer peripheral surface of the simultaneous contactable portion) that may come into contact with the inner peripheral surface 84 of the cylinder 18 at the same time at each moment. The total area over the entire length of the curve, or the total length of the curve obtained when the outer peripheral surface of the co-contact potential portion is virtually cut at a specific axial position). , It is less than the case where the above-mentioned circumferential land is used instead of the axial ridge 100.

When the simultaneous contactable portion is reduced, the resistance when the plunger 10 slides the cylinder 18 in the axial direction is reduced as compared with the case where the above-mentioned circumferential land is used instead of the axial ridge 100. As a result, in the discharge stage of the viscous material 14 from the pneumatic dispenser 20, the plunger 10 slides more smoothly due to the action of the compressed gas than when the above-mentioned circumferential land is used instead of the axial ridge 100. Be promoted.

As a result, since the compressed gas was applied to the plunger 10, the prying moment was unexpectedly generated in the plunger 10, the plunger 10 tilted with respect to the cylinder 18, and the plunger 10 locally contacted the cylinder 18. Even so, the possibility that the plunger 10 stays in the same axial position is reduced. The phenomenon that the plunger 10 sticks to the cylinder 18 due to the prying of the plunger 10 does not occur frequently.

When the sticking of the plunger 10 is prevented, the back pressure of the plunger 10 is prevented from excessively increasing, the generation of a larger prying moment is also prevented, the plunger 10 is prevented from tilting significantly with respect to the cylinder 18, and thus the plunger 10 is prevented from tilting significantly. It is also prevented that the plunger 10 comes into strong local contact with the cylinder 18.

As a result, in the stage of discharging the viscous material 14 from the pneumatic dispenser 20, it is prevented that the completed seal portion 104 is locally cracked due to the tilting of the plunger 10. When the occurrence of the crack is prevented, the compressed gas is prevented from leaking from the pressurizing chamber 74 to the filling chamber 72.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, at the discharge stage of the viscous material 14 from the pneumatic dispenser 20, the tendency of the plunger 10 to tilt unexpectedly with respect to the cylinder 18 is suppressed, and thereby filling due to the tilt. The possibility that air bubbles are mixed in the viscous material 14 in the chamber 72 is reduced.

Next, a more specific structure of the plunger 10 will be described exemplarily.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b), the plunger 10 has eight ridges 100. In another example, the plunger 10 has four ridges 100, as shown in FIG. In each example, there are a plurality of ridges 100 in the same plunger 10.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, a plurality of ridges 100 are dispersed on the outer peripheral surface 82 at substantially equal intervals and all around. In another example, although not shown, the number of ridges 100 is only one.

In any case, as long as at least one ridge 100 is formed on the outer peripheral surface 82 of the plunger 10, the continuous clearance 106 will have at least one first region generally extending axially and at least one generally extending axially. It has one second region having a thickness thinner than that of the first region. The first twisted second regions are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction.

Here, the first region (thin-walled region) and the second region (thick-walled region) will be described in comparison with each other. In the first region, the plunger 10 is in a stable posture without tilting in the cylinder 14 as much as possible. The second region has a function of promoting sliding as a unique function not found in the second region, while the second region promotes smooth axial flow of the viscous material 14 between the plunger 10 and the cylinder 14. It has a function to perform as a unique function not found in the first region. However, each region exerts a sealing function by filling a portion of the viscous material 14, thereby blocking the rest of the viscous material 14.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3A, each ridge 100 forms a straight line extending along one generatrix of the outer peripheral surface 82 of the plunger 10. That is, each ridge 100 has only a component extending in the axial direction and does not have a component extending in the circumferential direction.

In another example, although not shown, each ridge 100 has a spiral shape extending across a plurality of busbars on the outer peripheral surface 82 of the plunger 10. That is, each ridge 100 has not only a component extending in the axial direction but also a component extending in the circumferential direction.

Further, in any of the examples, the plurality of ridges 100 do not intersect each other on the outer peripheral surface 82 of the plunger 10. There is no intersection between the ridges 100, and if it does exist, it is expected that the intersection will physically prevent the viscous material 14 from smoothly flowing axially on the outer peripheral surface 82.

In this embodiment, each of the plurality of ridges 100 has a narrower width dimension than each of the plurality of grooves 102, as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b).

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3C, at least one of the plurality of ridges 100 extends over substantially all of the length dimensions of the plunger 10. There is. The longer each ridge 100 is, the smaller the maximum value of the angle at which the plunger 10 tilts with respect to the cylinder 18, which is effective for reducing the tilt angle of the plunger 10.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5A, at least one of the plurality of ridges 100 has a width dimension that does not change along the length of the plunger 10.

In another example, as shown in FIG. 5B, at least one of the plurality of ridges 100 has a width dimension that increases from the filling chamber 72 to the pressurizing chamber 74.

In the example shown in FIG. 5B, the circumferential spacing between the ridges 100 is smaller at a position closer to the pressurizing chamber 74 and closer to the filling chamber 72, and thus the seal portion 104 at the discharge stage. The sealing capacity is higher at a position closer to the pressurizing chamber 74 and closer to the filling chamber 72. Therefore, according to this example, the possibility that the compressed gas leaks from the pressurizing chamber 74 to the filling chamber 72 at the discharge stage is effectively suppressed.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6A, at least one of the plurality of ridges 100 has a bottom surface (an outer diameter that is constant in the axial direction) of the adjacent ones of the plurality of grooves 102. It has a height dimension from (has) that does not change along the length of the plunger 10.

In another example, as shown in FIG. 6B, at least one of the plurality of ridges 100 is the height dimension from the bottom surface of the adjacent ones of the plurality of grooves 102 and is filled. It has something that increases from the chamber 72 to the pressurizing chamber 74. The example shown in FIG. 6B can be combined with the example shown in FIG. 5B.

In the example shown in FIG. 6B, the thickness of the minimum clearance of the continuous clearance 106 (that is, the thickness of the minimum clearance of the clearance between the tip surface of the ridge 100 and the inner peripheral surface 84 of the cylinder 18). Is smaller at a position closer to the pressurizing chamber 74, and thus the sealing capacity of the seal portion 104 at the discharge stage is closer to the pressurizing chamber 74, the filling chamber 72. Higher at a position closer to. Therefore, according to this example, the possibility that the compressed gas leaks from the pressurizing chamber 74 to the filling chamber 72 at the discharge stage is effectively suppressed.

In one example, as shown in FIG. 5C, at least one of the plurality of ridges 100 is not continuous in the axial direction, and the plurality of ridge segments 108 are discretely axial to each other. It is configured to line up in a row.

In this example, the tendency of the viscous material 14 to be hindered by the ridge 100 in the continuous clearance 106 is reduced as compared with the case where one ridge 100 is continuously extended. Therefore, it is expected that the time required for the entire continuous clearance 106 to be filled with the viscous material 14 will be shortened.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3C, the plunger 10 adopts a hollow structure, and the peripheral wall portion 86 of the main body portion 80 elastically deforms in the radial direction, thereby forming a solid structure. It is easier than adopting it.

In the present embodiment, when the plunger 10 is elastically deformed in the radial direction at the plurality of ridges 100 and the tips of the plurality of ridges 100 come into contact with the inner peripheral surface 84 of the cylinder 18, the ridges 100 are deformed. Elastically deforms inward in the radial direction. As a result, it is prevented that the plurality of ridges 100 come into strong contact with the inner peripheral surface 84 of the cylinder 18.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, the cross section of each ridge 100 is generally a rectangular cross section.

In some other examples, the cross section of each ridge 100 is a cross section having another shape, eg, a cross section that tapers outward in the radial direction (generally a triangular, hemispherical or trapezoidal cross section). It is possible.

In those other examples, the circumferential fluidity of the viscous material 14 is improved when the cross section of each ridge 100 is generally triangular, hemispherical or trapezoidal than when it is rectangular. Thus, it is facilitated that the viscous material 14 fills the radial clearance between the tip surface of each ridge 100 and the inner peripheral surface 84 of the cylinder 14.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, the cross section of each groove 102 is generally a rectangular cross section.

In some other examples, the cross section of each groove 102 is a cross section having another shape, eg, a cross section that tapers inward in the radial direction (generally a triangular, hemispherical or trapezoidal cross section). It is possible. In one example, the cross section of each ridge 100 is a cross section that is tapered outward in the radial direction, while the cross section of each groove 102 is a cross section that is tapered inward in the radial direction.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, the inner peripheral surface 84 of the cylinder 18 has a circular cross section, the outer peripheral surface 82 of the plunger 10 has a circular cross section, and the outer peripheral surface of the plunger 10 has a circular cross section. Of the surface 82, the outer outlines of the plurality of segments constituting the profile (graphic) representing the cross section obtained by cutting the portion forming the plurality of ridges 100 at a certain axial position are the plunger 10 and Located on one concentric circle, each of these outer outlines is described as a plurality of arcs sharing a central point.

In another example, although not shown, the inner peripheral surface 84 of the cylinder 18 has a circular cross section, the outer peripheral surface 82 of the plunger 10 has a non-circular cross section, and a plurality of ridges 100 have a plurality of ridges 100. The outer outline of is located on one closed line concentric with the plunger 10 that forms a non-circular shape (eg, oval, ellipse, polygon).

Next, the aspect ratio (aspect ratio) of the plunger 10 in side view will be described.

The axial dimensions representing the plunger 10 (for example, in FIG. 3C, the axial length of the peripheral wall portion 86 from the edge position on the filling chamber 72 side to the edge position on the pressurizing chamber 74 side) are the same. It is longer than the radial dimension representing the plunger 10 (for example, in FIG. 3B, the diameter of one circumference circumscribing the silhouette obtained by projecting the plunger 10 in the axial direction). Due to such a dimensional effect, the maximum value of the angle at which the plunger 10 is unplannedly tilted by the compressed gas when the compressed gas acts in the cylinder 18 is reduced.

The aspect ratio, which is the ratio of the axial dimension representing the plunger 10 to the radial dimension representing the same plunger 10, may be about 1 or more, about 1.2 or more, or about 1.5 or more. It is possible, and the larger the aspect ratio, the greater the effect of the plunger 10 on preventing tilting in the cylinder 18.

Next, a filling method for filling the viscous material 14 in the cartridge 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11.

Prior to filling the cartridge 12, the viscous material 14 is manufactured and stored in the container 112 shown in FIG. After that, the viscous material 14 housed in the container 112 is distributed from the container 112 to a plurality of cartridges 12. The viscous material 14 in the container 112 is pushed out of the container 112 by pushing the extrusion piston 122 into the container 112. The extruded viscous material 14 is filled in the cylinder 18.

In FIG. 7, the container 112 is shown in a side sectional view. In the present embodiment, the same container 112 is used for manufacturing the viscous material 14 (two-component mixing described in detail later) and defoaming the viscous material 14 after the production (vacuum centrifugal defoaming with a stirrer described in detail later). , Used for storing and transporting the viscous material 14 prior to filling the cartridge 12 and for filling the cartridge 12.

As shown in FIG. 7, the container 112 has a hollow housing 150 extending in the axial direction and a cylindrical chamber 152 coaxially formed in the housing 150. The chamber 152 has an opening 154 and a bottom 156. The inner surface of the bottom 156 has a generally hemispherical concave surface. By having the bottom portion 156 having a continuous inner surface in this way, the viscous material 14 flows smoothly in the chamber 152 as compared with the case where the inner surface of the bottom portion 156 is flat, and as a result, the stirring efficiency of the viscous material 14 is improved. .. One example of the material constituting the container 112 is POM (polyacetal), and another example is Teflon®, but is not limited thereto.

The bottom 156 of the chamber 152 is formed with a discharge passage 157 for discharging the viscous material 14 (a mixture of the liquid A and the liquid B) contained in the chamber 152 toward the cylinder 18. The discharge passage 157 is selectively closed by a removable plug (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 7, the extrusion piston 122 is pushed into the chamber 152 of the container 112 in order to discharge the viscous material 14 from the container 112. The extruded piston 122 has a main body portion 158 and an engaging portion 159 formed at the rear end portion of the main body portion 158. The main body portion 158 has an outer surface shape (for example, a shape having a convex portion generally forming a hemisphere) that complements the inner surface shape of the chamber 152 of the container 112. The engaging portion 159 has a smaller diameter than the main body portion 158, and an external force is applied to the engaging portion 159 from the filling device 210 (see FIG. 10) to advance the extrusion piston 122. As the extrusion piston 122 approaches the discharge passage 157 in the chamber 152, the viscous material 14 is extruded from the discharge passage 157.

FIG. 8 shows a partial cross-sectional front view of a filling device 210 for transferring and filling the viscous material 14 from the container 112 to the cartridge 12, and FIG. 9 shows the filling device 210 in a partial cross-sectional side view. There is. FIG. 10 shows a main part of the filling device 210 in use in an enlarged partial cross-sectional front view.

In the present embodiment, when the viscous material 14 is transferred from the container 112 to the cartridge 12, the container 112 has an opening 154 of the chamber 152 pointing downwards and a discharge passage 157 of the bottom 156 as shown in FIG. It is held in the space in an upward posture (upside down posture). In this state, the extrusion piston 122 is raised in the chamber 152. As a result, the viscous material 14 is pushed upward from the chamber 152.

Further, when the viscous material 14 is transferred from the container 112 to the cartridge 12, the cartridge 12 is held in the space in a posture in which the opening 68 faces upward and the bottom 62 faces downward. In this state, the viscous material 14 extruded upward from the container 112 is injected from the bottom 62 of the cartridge 12.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the filling device 210 has a container holder mechanism 270 that holds the container 112 detachably at the lower portion thereof, while the cartridge holder mechanism 270 holds the cartridge 12 detachably at the upper portion thereof. It has 272.

The container holder mechanism 270 is vertically and parallel to each other, with the base plate 280 installed, the non-elevable top plate 282 located above the base plate 280, and both ends fixed by the base plate 280 and the top plate 282, respectively. It has a plurality of extending shafts (in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, two shafts arranged symmetrically with respect to each other with the vertical center line of the container holder mechanism 270 separated from each other) 284. ing. The top plate 282 has a through hole 290. The through hole 290 is coaxial with the vertical center line of the container holder mechanism 270.

A guide plate 292 is fixed to the lower surface of the top plate 282. The guide plate 292 has a guide hole 294 coaxial with the through hole 290. The guide hole 294 penetrates the guide plate 292 with a uniform cross section in the thickness direction. As shown in FIG. 10, the guide hole 294 has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the bottom 156 of the container 112, and the container 112 can be fitted into the guide hole 294 without rattling. is there. Thanks to this guide hole 294, the container 112 is aligned relative to the top plate 282 with respect to its position in the horizontal direction (diameter direction of the container 112).

As shown in FIG. 10, in a state where the bottom portion 156 of the container 112 is fitted into the guide hole 294, the container 112 is placed on the lower surface of the top plate 282 on the tip surface (coplanar) of the bottom portion 156 thereof. bump into. As a result, the container 112 is aligned relative to the top plate 282 with respect to the position in the vertical direction (the axial direction of the container 112).

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the container holder mechanism 270 further has a movable plate 300 that can be raised and lowered. The movable plate 300 has a plurality of sleeves 302 that are slidably fitted to the shaft 284 in the axial direction. By operating the lock mechanism 304, the operator can move the movable plate 300 to an arbitrary position in the vertical direction and stop the movable plate 300.

The movable plate 300 has a stepped positioning hole 306 coaxially with the guide hole 294. The positioning hole 306 penetrates the movable plate 300 in the thickness direction. As shown in FIG. 10, the positioning hole 306 has a large-diameter hole 310 on the side close to the guide hole 294, and has a small-diameter hole 312 on the opposite side, and the large-diameter hole 310 and the small-diameter hole 312 It has a shoulder surface 314 facing the side of the guide hole 294 between the two.

The large diameter hole 310 has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the opening 154 of the container 112, whereby the container 112 can be positioned in the horizontal direction (diameter direction of the container 112) of the movable plate 300 ( As a result, it is aligned relative to the top plate 282).

The tip surface (coplanar) of the opening 154 of the container 112 abuts against the shoulder surface 314, whereby the container 112 with respect to its position in the vertical direction (axial direction of the container 112) is the movable plate 300 (and thus the container 112). It is aligned relative to the top plate 282).

The small diameter hole 312 has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the extrusion piston 122, and the extrusion piston 122 is slidably fitted into the small diameter hole 312. The small diameter hole 312 functions as a guide hole for guiding the axial movement of the extrusion piston 122.

A container set is constructed by inserting the extrusion piston 122 into the container 112, and the container set is set on the top plate 282 with the movable plate 300 sufficiently retracted downward from the top plate 282. .. After that, the movable plate 300 is raised until the tip surface of the opening 154 of the container 112 abuts on the shoulder surface 314. At this position, the movable plate 300 is fixed to the shaft 284. As a result, the holding work of the container set to the container holder mechanism 270 is completed.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the container holder mechanism 270 further has an air cylinder 320 as an actuator coaxially with the guide hole 294. A rod 322 as an elevating member extends upward from the air cylinder 320, and a pusher 324 is attached to the tip of the rod 322. As shown in FIG. 10, the pusher 324 engages with the engaging portion 159 of the extrusion piston 122 in the container set held by the container holder mechanism 270. In that engaged state, as the pusher 324 advances, the extrusion piston 122 advances with respect to the container 112, reducing the volume of the chamber 152.

The air cylinder 320 is a double-acting type, and the pusher 324 can be moved forward from the initial position to the working position (rising due to pressurization) and retracted from the working position to the non-working position (lowering due to pressurization). Stopping at (the exhaust from both gas chambers in the air cylinder 320 is blocked) is selectively performed according to the operation of the operator. The air cylinder 320 is connected to a high pressure source (the height of the primary pressure is, for example, 0.2 MPa) 325b via a pneumatic control unit 325a having a switching valve.

As shown in FIG. 9, the container holder mechanism 270 further includes a gas spring 326 as a damper. The gas spring 326 extends vertically and is pivotably connected to the base plate 280 and the movable plate 300 at both ends thereof. The gas spring 326 is installed to limit the downward movement of the movable plate 300 by its own weight when the lock mechanism 304 is in the unlocked state.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the cartridge holder mechanism 272 includes a base frame 330 fixed to the top plate 282, an air cylinder 332 as an actuator, a top frame 334, and a movable frame 336.

The air cylinder 332 has a main body 340 that extends vertically and is fixed to the top plate 282 and the top frame 334, and an elevating rod 342 that is linearly moved with respect to the main body 340. The upper end portion (the end portion protruding from the main body portion 340) of the elevating rod 342 is fixed to the movable frame 336.

The air cylinder 332 is a double-acting type, and the elevating rod 342 can be moved forward from the initial position to the action position (rise by pressurization) and retract from the action position to the non-action position (down by pressurization). Floating at the position (exhaust from both gas chambers in the air cylinder 332 is permitted) is selectively performed according to the operation of the operator. That is, the air cylinder 332 selectively shifts to the forward mode, the backward mode, and the floating mode. The air cylinder 332 is connected to the high pressure source 325a via the pneumatic control unit 325a.

A plurality of sleeves (in this embodiment, two parallel sleeves arranged symmetrically with respect to each other with an air cylinder 332 in between) 344 are fixed to the main body 340. A plurality of vertically extending shafts 346 are slidably fitted to the sleeves 344. The upper ends of the shafts 346 are all fixed to the movable frame 336.

In the cartridge holder mechanism 272, the base frame 330, the top frame 334, the main body 340, and the sleeve 344 are each stationary members, whereas the movable frame 336, the elevating rod 342, and the shaft 346 are integrally raised and lowered, respectively. It is a movable member that can be used.

As shown in FIG. 9, the cartridge holder mechanism 272 further includes a gas spring 350 as a damper. The gas spring 350 extends vertically between the base frame 330 and the movable frame 336. The gas spring 350 includes a cylinder 352 having a gas chamber (not shown) and a rod 354 that can be expanded and contracted with respect to the cylinder 352. The cylinder 352 is pivotally coupled to the base frame 330 at one end thereof.

The tip of the rod 354 is separably engaged with the lower surface of the movable frame 336. Therefore, the rod 354 may be compressed by the movable frame 336, but not stretched. The rod 354 exerts an upward force on the movable frame 336 in the compressed state, thereby assisting the movable frame 336 to rise.

In the present embodiment, the container 112 and the cartridge 12 are directly connected to each other by, for example, screwing a male screw and a female screw, so that the container 112 is held by the filling device 210. 12 is aligned with respect to the container 112 in both the radial and axial directions.

As shown in FIG. 10, the rod 360 is inserted into the cartridge 12 while the container set is held by the container holder mechanism 270 and the cartridge 12 is connected to the container set.

The rod 360 is held by the cartridge holder mechanism 272. In the present embodiment, the cartridge holder mechanism 272 holds the rod 360, and the rod 360 is inserted into the cartridge 12, and as a result, the cartridge 12 is held by the cartridge holder mechanism 272.

The rod 360 is configured as a rigid and straight tube. The rod 360 is a steel pipe (a pipe made of synthetic resin is also possible), and it is possible to transmit a compressive force in the axial direction.

The rod 360 is substantially airtightly closed by a stopper 362 on its tip surface. The rod 360 abuts on the inner surface 89 of the bottom 88 of the plunger 10 at the tip surface of the stopper 362, which uniquely determines the approach limit of the rod 360 to the plunger 10.

As shown in FIG. 10, when the extruded piston 122 is pushed into the container 112, the viscous material 14 is extruded from the container 112 from the bottom 156, and the extruded viscous material 14 is filled in the filling chamber 72. .. As the volume of the viscous material 14 to be filled increases, the plunger 10 is pushed by the viscous material 14 and raised relative to the cylinder 18. Along with that, the rod 360 is raised with respect to the cartridge 12.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the rod 360 is fixed to the movable frame 336. The rod 360 extends coaxially with the vertical centerline of the filling device 210 (coaxial with the centerline of the guide hole 294). The filling device 210 aligns the cartridge 12 with respect to the position of the cartridge 12 with respect to the top plate 282.

Next, this filling method will be specifically described with reference to the process diagram shown in FIG. 11, but prior to that, a method for producing the viscous material 14 will be described.

The viscous material 14 is a highly viscous synthetic resin, and has a thermosetting property that cures when heated to a certain temperature (for example, 50 ° C.) or higher, and once cured, its properties are not restored even if the temperature drops. Have. When the viscous material 14 is frozen below a certain temperature (for example, −20 ° C.) in a non-cured state, the progress (curing) of the chemical reaction in the viscous material 14 stops. After that, when the viscous material 14 is heated and thawed, the viscous material 14 has the property of restarting the progress (curing) of the chemical reaction.

In the present embodiment, the viscous material 14 is a two-component mixed type, and is provided by mixing two liquids, a liquid A (curing agent) and a liquid B (main agent). An example of solution A is PR-1776 B-2, Part A (accelerator and manganese dioxide dispersion) of PRC-DeSoto International of the United States, and an example of solution B combined with this is US PRC. -DeSoto International's PR-1776 B-2, Part B (base ingredient, filled-modified polysulfide resin).

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, in order to produce the viscous material 14, first, in step S11, the two liquids are mixed in the container 112. Next, in step S12, stirring and defoaming of the viscous material 14 contained in the container 112 is performed using a stirrer (not shown). In the present embodiment, the same container 112 is used for mixing the two liquids for producing the viscous material 14 and for stirring and defoaming the viscous material 14 with a stirrer.

An example of a stirrer is disclosed in JP-A-11-104404, and the contents of this publication are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In the present embodiment, this type of stirrer rotates a container 112 filled with the viscous material 14 around a rotation axis eccentric with respect to the revolution axis while revolving around the revolution axis under vacuum pressure. As a result, the viscous material 14 is defoamed in the container 112 while stirring.

In the stirrer, the viscous material 14 is agitated by the centrifugal force caused by the planetary motion of the stirrer. Further, the bubbles mixed in the viscous material 14 are discharged from the viscous material 14 by the joint action of the centrifugal force caused by the planetary motion by the stirrer and the negative pressure caused by the vacuum atmosphere, and as a result, the viscous material 14 is discharged. Defoamed. This completely or sufficiently prevents the generation of voids in the viscous material 14.

When the viscous material 14 is mixed in the container 112 and defoamed by stirring as described above, as shown in FIG. 10, the viscous material 14 is transferred from the container 112 to the cartridge 12 and filled by using the filling device 210. Work is started.

First, in step S21, as shown in FIG. 7, the operator prepares the container set by inserting the extrusion piston 122 into the container 112 filled with the viscous material 14.

Next, in step S22, as shown in FIG. 10, the operator holds the container set in the filling device 210 by setting the container set in the container holder mechanism 270 of the filling device 210 in an upside-down posture. Let me.

Specifically, the movable plate 300 is retracted downward from the container set prior to being held by the container holder mechanism 270. The operator first places the container set in a predetermined position in an upside-down posture on the retractable movable plate 300. The operator then raises the movable plate 300 together with the container set until the container 112 abuts on the top plate 282. Finally, the operator fixes the movable plate 300 in that position.

Subsequently, in step S23, the operator prepares the cartridge 12 by inserting the plunger 10 into the cartridge 12, as shown in FIG.

Then, in step S24, as shown in FIG. 10, the cartridge 12 is connected substantially airtightly to the container set previously held upside down by the filling device 210, whereby the cartridge 12 is filled with the filling device 210. To hold.

Prior to mounting the cartridge 12 in the filling device 210, the air cylinder 332 is in the above-mentioned forward mode and pushes out the elevating rod 342, so that the rod 360 is in a position retracted upward from the cartridge 12. .. That is, the mounting of the cartridge 12 on the filling device 210 is not hindered by the rod 360.

Subsequently, in step S25, the air cylinder 332 is switched to the retracted mode described above, and the lifting rod 342 is pulled in to insert the rod 360 in the retracted position into the cartridge 12. The rod 360 is lowered by the air cylinder 332 until the stopper 362 of the rod 360 abuts on the plunger 10 previously present in the cartridge 12. The advance limit of the plunger 10 is defined by, for example, contact with the tip of the bottom 156 of the container 112, which forms the discharge passage 157.

After that, the air cylinder 332 is switched to the above-mentioned floating mode, and as a result, when the above-mentioned assist by the gas spring 350 is ignored, the rod 360 to the plunger 10 together with the weight of the rod 360 and the rod 360 thereof. A force having a value excluding the sliding resistance from the sum of the weight of the member that moves up and down acts. The force is a force that pushes the plunger 10 toward the bottom 62 of the cartridge 12, and is a force that reduces the volume of the filling chamber 72.

Subsequently, in step S26, as shown in FIG. 10, the extrusion piston 122 rises and is pushed into the container 112. Along with this, the viscous material 14 is extruded from the container 112 against gravity, whereby filling into the filling chamber 72 is started.

When the viscous material 14 flows from the container 112 into the filling chamber 72 of the cartridge 12, the air existing in the filling chamber 72 is compressed by the inflowing viscous material 14.

As a result, a differential pressure is generated in the cartridge 12 that the filling chamber 72 has a higher pressure than the pressurizing chamber 74 (atmospheric pressure) communicating with the outside of the cartridge 12. Due to the differential pressure, the air in the filling chamber 72 passes through the radial clearance between the plunger 10 and the cylinder 18 (the seal portion 104 is in an unfinished state) and flows into the pressurizing chamber 74. As a result, the cartridge 12 is discharged to the outside through the opening 68. As a result, the air in the filling chamber 72 is evacuated.

As a result, according to the present embodiment, during filling of the viscous material 14 into the filling chamber 72, air is discharged from the filling chamber 72 to the pressurizing chamber 74, and air is discharged into the viscous material 14 in the filling chamber 72. It is not necessary for the viscous material 14 to be mixed or coexist with air in the filling chamber 72.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the rod 360 applies a force in the direction of reducing the volume of the filling chamber 72 to the plunger 10 in the cartridge 12. The applied force is a force in the direction in which the plunger 10 approaches the viscous material 14 that has flowed into the cartridge 12.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the above-mentioned differential pressure is generated even when the force is applied by the rod 360, and a larger differential pressure is generated in the cartridge 12 than when the force is not applied by the rod 360. As a result, the phenomenon that the air existing in the filling chamber 72 passes through the radial clearance between the plunger 10 and the cylinder 18 and flows into the pressurizing chamber 74 is promoted.

Eventually, all the air in the filling chamber 72 in the initial state (lower end position of the plunger 10) shown in FIG. 10 is filled with the viscous material 14 (all the original air in the filling chamber 72 is replaced with the viscous material 14). ). Subsequently, as the filling of the viscous material 14 continues, the volume of the filling chamber 72 increases, and the plunger 10, the rod 230, and the movable frame 336 tend to rise accordingly.

At this time, the first part of the viscous material 14 in the filling chamber 72 is consumed to form the seal portion 104, and when the seal portion 104 is completed, the remaining portion of the viscous material 14 is the seal portion. The 104 prevents the outflow to the pressurizing chamber 74. The viscous material block is performed by the sealing portion 104.

In the present embodiment, the viscous material 14 is filled into the plunger 10 not through its opening 68 but through the discharge port 67, thereby filling the plunger 10 in the initial filling chamber 72 where filling is initiated. An air layer (upper layer) is formed closer to the air layer, and a layer of the viscous material 14 is formed below the air layer. As a result, the viscous material 14 does not come into contact with the plunger 10 as long as air is present in the filling chamber 72.

When the viscous material 14 rises in the filling chamber 72 and the air in the filling chamber 72 is completely evacuated, the viscous material 14 comes into contact with the plunger 10 and the viscous material 14 is added to the clearance between the plunger 10 and the cylinder 18. enter in. As a result, a sealing portion 104 that blocks the viscous material is formed between the plunger 10 and the cylinder 18. After the seal portion 104 is completed, bidirectional air leakage is also prevented.

Prior to filling the cartridge 12 of the viscous material 14, the gas spring 350 shown in FIG. 9 is in a state of being compressed by the movable frame 336. As a reaction to this, the gas spring 350 applies a force to raise the movable frame 336 together with the rod 360 to the movable frame 336.

Therefore, when the volume of the filling chamber 72 is further increased after the entire air in the filling chamber 72 in the initial state (lower end position of the plunger 10) shown in FIG. 10 is filled with the viscous material 14, the plunger is correspondingly increased. 10. The rod 360 and the movable frame 336 can be raised without significantly increasing the pressure of the viscous material 14 in the filling chamber 72.

That is, in step S27, the ascent of the rod 360 and the movable frame 336 is mechanically assisted by the gas spring 350.

After that, in step S28, it is awaited that the amount of the viscous material 14 filled in the cylinder 18 reaches the specified amount and the rod 360 rises to the specified position. When the rod 360 rises to the specified position, the advance of the extrusion piston 122 is stopped by switching the air cylinder 320, and then the air cylinder 332 pushes out the elevating rod 342, leaving the plunger 10 in the cylinder 18. The rod 360 is raised, thereby pulling the rod 360 out of the cartridge 12.

Subsequently, in step S29, the operator removes the cartridge 12 from the container 112 and the filling device 210.

Then, in step S30, the operator removes the container set from the filling device 210.

This completes the transfer and filling of the viscous material 14 from one container 112 to one cartridge 12.

Next, a plunger 10 according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, with respect to the elements common to the first embodiment, by quoting using the same name or reference numeral, duplicate description will be omitted, and only the elements different from the first embodiment will be described in detail.

12 (a) is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of the cartridge 12 using the plunger 10 according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 12 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line YY in FIG. 12 (a). is there.

In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the outer peripheral surface 82 of the main body 80 of the plunger 10 and the cylinder 18 are in a concentric fitting state in which the plunger 10 is completely concentrically fitted to the cylinder 18. A cylindrical clearance continuous in both the axial direction and the circumferential direction is formed as the continuous clearance 106 with the inner peripheral surface 84 of the above. The seal portion 104 is formed by filling the continuous clearance 106 with a part of the viscous material 14.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12A, a figure representing the cross section of the outer peripheral surface 82 of the plunger 10 with the inner outline of the figure representing the cross section of the inner peripheral surface 84 of the cylinder 18 being a circumference. The outer outline of is a circumference having a diameter smaller than that of the circumference.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the plunger 10 is completely concentrically fitted to the cylinder 18, the thickness of the continuous clearance 106 is uniform in the circumferential direction, but the axial center of the plunger 10 is When the cylinder 18 deviates from the axial center in the radial direction, the thickness of the continuous clearance 106 becomes non-uniform in the circumferential direction.

The outer peripheral surface 82 has a radial clearance substantially all around the inner peripheral surface 84 of the cylinder 18 in a state where the plunger 10 is fitted to the cylinder 18. In the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, none of the ridges 100 is formed on the outer peripheral surface 82.

The radial clearance dimension is set to the lower limit of the radial clearance required for the plunger 10 to be slidably fitted to the cylinder 18 in the axial direction without substantially rattling, and the viscous material 14 is provided from the filling chamber 72. Upper limit of the radial clearance required for the continuous clearance 106 to be substantially completely filled with a portion of the viscous material 14 in its circumferential and axial directions at the substantially final stage of the ejection process. Is set to.

In one example, the radial clearance dimension is set within the range between 0.25 mm and 0.75 mm.

When the viscous material 14 is filled into the filling chamber 72 from the outside, the continuous clearance 106 is filled with a part of the viscous material 14, thereby forming the seal portion 104. A part of the viscous material 14 blocks the remaining portion of the viscous material 14 from leaking from the filling chamber 72 to the pressurizing chamber 74.

As is clear from the above description, according to the present embodiment, a continuous clearance 106 is formed between the outer peripheral surface 82 of the plunger 10 and the inner peripheral surface 84 of the cylinder 18, thereby forming the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface 82. Is smaller than the inner diameter of the inner peripheral surface 84 at a larger ratio than when the above-mentioned circumferential land is used.

As a result, of the outer peripheral surface 82 of the plunger 10, a simultaneously contactable portion (for example, the outer peripheral surface of the simultaneous contactable portion) that may come into contact with the inner peripheral surface 84 of the cylinder 18 at each moment. The total area over the entire length of the curve, or the total length of the curve obtained when the outer peripheral surface of the co-contact potential portion is virtually cut at a specific axial position). , It is less than when the above-mentioned circumferential land is used.

When the simultaneous contactable portion is reduced, the resistance when the plunger 10 slides the cylinder 18 in the axial direction is reduced as compared with the case where the above-mentioned circumferential land is used. As a result, in the discharge stage of the viscous material 14 from the pneumatic dispenser 20, the action of the compressed gas promotes the plunger 10 to slide more smoothly than when the above-mentioned circumferential land is used.

As a result, since the compressed gas was applied to the plunger 10, the prying moment was unexpectedly generated in the plunger 10, the plunger 10 tilted with respect to the cylinder 18, and the plunger 10 locally contacted the cylinder 18. Even so, the possibility that the plunger 10 stays in the same axial position is reduced. The phenomenon that the plunger 10 sticks to the cylinder 18 due to the prying of the plunger 10 does not occur frequently.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12A, a figure representing the cross section of the outer peripheral surface 82 of the plunger 10 with the inner outline of the figure representing the cross section of the inner peripheral surface 84 of the cylinder 18 being a circumference. The outer outline of is also the circumference.

However, the present invention can be implemented in other embodiments, in which a continuous clearance 106 continuous in both the axial and circumferential directions is formed between the outer peripheral surface 82 of the plunger 10 and the inner peripheral surface 84 of the cylinder 14. And, as long as the continuous clearance 106 can be entirely filled with the viscous material 14, regardless of the cross-sectional shape of the outer peripheral surface 82 of the plunger 10, for example, the circumference on the outer peripheral surface 82. It is also possible to carry out the present invention in a manner in which a land extending in the direction in which the tip surface thereof does not contact the inner peripheral surface 84 of the cylinder 14 is formed in the concentric fitting state.

In this embodiment, as in the other embodiments, the plunger 10 is larger than the conventional cylinder 18 without using a dedicated sealing member such as a packing or a ring for exclusively sealing between the two cylinders or a dedicated sealing fluid. It has a gap, that is, it is fitted loosely than before. Further, the continuous clearance 106 formed by the loose fit is filled with the viscous material 14, and the filled portion functions as if it were a sealing member.

That is, in the present embodiment, instead of omitting the seal member and the seal fluid described above, the plunger 10 is conventionally loosely fitted to the cylinder 14, and the continuous clearance 106 formed by the loose fit is viscous. It is filled with the material 14 to realize the sealing function.

Next, a plunger 10 according to an exemplary third embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, with respect to the elements common to the second embodiment, by quoting using the same name or reference numeral, duplicate description will be omitted, and only the elements different from the second embodiment will be described in detail.

In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12A, the cross section of the outer peripheral surface 82 of the plunger 10 is represented in a state where the inner outline of the figure representing the cross section of the inner peripheral surface 84 of the cylinder 18 is the circumference. The outer outline of the figure is also the circumference.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the cross section of the outer peripheral surface 82 of the plunger 10 is represented in a state where the inner outline of the figure representing the cross section of the inner peripheral surface 84 of the cylinder 18 is the circumference. The outer outline of the figure is a closed line that is non-circumferential.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, unlike the case where the outer outline of the figure representing the cross section of the outer peripheral surface 82 of the plunger 10 is the circumference, whether or not the plunger 10 is completely concentrically fitted to the cylinder 18. Regardless of the above, the thickness of the continuous clearance 106 becomes non-uniform in the circumferential direction and becomes non-uniform. As a result, it is easy to secure a larger clearance between the plunger 10 and the cylinder 18 than when the outer outline of the figure representing the cross section of the outer peripheral surface 82 of the plunger 10 is a circumference, although it is uneven in the circumferential direction. It becomes.

In one example, as shown in FIG. 13A, the outer outline of the figure representing the cross section of the outer peripheral surface 82 of the plunger 10 is a closed curve, for example, an ellipse or an oval. In this example, among the closed curves, a plurality of protrusions (assuming a circle circumscribing the closed curve, a plurality of the closed curves including a plurality of contact points with the circumscribed circle). Each segment) can be considered to constitute another example of the ridge 100.

In another example, as shown in FIG. 13B, whether or not the outer outline of the figure representing the cross section of the outer peripheral surface 82 of the plunger 10 is a polygon (whether or not the closed curve that approximates it is the circumference). Regardless). In this example, a plurality of protrusions of the polygon (a plurality of segments of the polygon including a plurality of points of contact with the circumscribed circle, assuming a circle circumscribing the polygon). Can each be considered to constitute another example of the ridge 100.

This specification provides a full description of compositions, methods, systems and / or structures and uses in some examples of embodiments of the techniques described herein. Various embodiments of the technique have been described above with some specificity or with reference to at least one individual embodiment, but those skilled in the art will make numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments. , It can be done without departing from the spirit or scope of the technology. Furthermore, unless the opposite is explicitly stated in the claims column or the particular order is essentially essential by the terms in the claims, the actions may be performed in any order. You should understand the good things. All matters contained in the above description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings should be construed as an example only for a particular embodiment, which is not limited to the embodiments described. It is intended that. Changes in detail or structure can be made without departing from the basic elements of the art as defined in the subsequent claims section.

Claims (3)

A cartridge that is mounted on a pneumatic dispenser that discharges a viscous material by pressurization with a compressed gas and has a plunger fitted to a cylinder.
The internal space of the cylinder is separated into a filling chamber in which the viscous material should be filled from the outside and a pressurizing chamber in which the compressed gas should be introduced from the outside by fitting the plunger into the cylinder. Being done
The plunger has at least one ridge having at least an axially extending component on its outer peripheral surface extending over the entire length of the outer peripheral surface, whereby the plunger is fitted to the cylinder. In this state, a clearance is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the plunger and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder so as to extend between the filling chamber and the pressurizing chamber .
The clearance has a shape and a size, and the shape and the size are such that a part of the viscous material is filled in the clearance at the stage of filling the cylinder with the viscous material, and the clearance is the one. In the unfinished state of the seal before it is completely filled with the viscous material of the portion, degassing is realized in which the gas existing in the cylinder passes through the clearance, but the clearance is due to the part of the viscous material. When the seal is completely filled, the part of the viscous material functions as a sealing member between the cylinder and the plunger to prevent the viscous material and the gas from leaking from the clearance. Cartridge set to be. Claim that the plunger is loosely fitted into the cylinder, whereby a loose fit of the plunger to the cylinder is achieved, and the loose fit forms the clearance between the plunger and the cylinder. The cartridge according to 1. The cartridge, said as a viscous material, the claim configured to use one having fluidity at both the delivery phase of the viscous material from the filling stage and the cartridge of the viscous material into said cartridge The cartridge according to either 1 or 2.

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