Adjustable Diaphragm for Powder Metering Volume Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing powder metering apparatuses face challenges in achieving exact volume measurement and reliable emptying, particularly due to powder compaction during extended drawing-in times, leading to emptying difficulties and the inability to adjust metered quantities.
Innovation Solution
A diaphragm arrangement that is adjustable relative to the outlet opening, allowing for complete filling and precise control of the metering volume, with the diaphragm being impermeable to powder but permeable to air, and assisted by compressed air for emptying, enabling flexible metering and prevention of powder compaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the drawing-in time for powder is extended to ensure complete filling of the metering chamber, then the metering precision is improved, but the powder becomes intensively compacted in the chamber leading to emptying difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The diaphragm is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be positioned at different locations within the metering chamber. During filling, the diaphragm is retracted to allow complete filling. During emptying, the diaphragm is advanced to press the powder out through the outlet opening, preventing compaction issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The position parameter of the diaphragm is changed dynamically during the metering cycle. By adjusting the diaphragm position between filling and emptying phases, the system optimizes both complete filling and effective emptying without powder compaction problems.
2Device complexity
If a fixed diaphragm arrangement is used to prevent powder from being drawn into the negative pressure line, then the device complexity is reduced, but the powder metering volume cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The diaphragm assembly is made adjustable along the longitudinal axis of the metering chamber, allowing the metering volume to be changed by positioning the diaphragm at different locations. This provides versatility while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
3Device complexity
If the diaphragm is arranged fixedly to prevent powder from being drawn into the negative pressure line, then the device complexity is reduced, but emptying problems occur due to powder compaction
Solution Approach 1:
The diaphragm is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be positioned at different locations within the metering chamber. During filling, the diaphragm is retracted to allow complete filling. During emptying, the diaphragm is advanced to press the powder out through the outlet opening, preventing compaction issues.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise and reliable powder metering with adjustable volumes, ensuring complete filling and efficient emptying by minimizing powder compaction and allowing for various powder types to be handled effectively.
Implementation Method 1
the diaphragm is not arranged fixedly, but rather together with the diaphragm holder so as to be adjustable in a relative manner to the outlet opening of the metering chamber... embodied so as to be permeable to air but impermeable to powder
Implementation Method 2
in order to draw in powder from a powder supply line, a negative pressure can be applied to the metering chamber through a diaphragm which bounds the metering chamber
Implementation Method 3
The chamber is not completely filled with powder here before the emptying in the drawing-in phase... emptied exclusively via an application of the chamber by compressed air through a lower outlet opening
Data Source
AI summary
A powder metering apparatus (1) having a metering chamber (2) which defines a powder metering volume (3) and can be emptied through an outlet opening (11), wherein, in order to draw in powder (9) from a powder supply line (10) through a diaphragm (5) which bounds the metering chamber (2), a negative pressure (8) can be applied to the metering chamber (2). The diaphragm (5) is arranged such that the latter can be adjusted relative to the outlet opening (11) in order to set the powder metering volume (3) and/or to empty the metering chamber (2).