Adjustable Dosing Wheel Format Bar for Powder Metering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for dosing powdery filling materials face challenges in adjusting the dosing volume of multiple chambers efficiently and require a large number of expensive format parts, complicating assembly and filter replacement.

Innovation Solution

The device integrates multiple dosing chambers into a common component with adjustable sleeve extensions and a central air duct, allowing for simple adjustment of dosing volume and shared filter usage, facilitated by a cam mechanism and spring counterforce for easy movement and reliable filling/emptying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If multiple dosing chambers are integrated into a common component, then the number of individual parts is reduced and assembly is simplified, but the complexity of adjusting dosing volume for each chamber increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of individual partsVSAvoidadjustment of dosing volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple dosing chambers are integrated into a single common component (format bar) that can be adjusted as one unit. The cam mechanism simultaneously adjusts all dosing chambers along the format bar, reducing the number of individual adjustment operations needed while maintaining the ability to control dosing volume for each chamber.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The common component (format bar) serves multiple functions: it houses multiple dosing chambers, provides a unified adjustment mechanism for all chambers, and integrates the air duct system. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of parts while maintaining operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a filter is introduced between the underside of dosing chambers and the support means, then filling and emptying reliability is improved, but the complexity of filter replacement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling and emptying reliabilityVSAvoidfilter replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The format bar is designed as a separable component that can be removed from the dosing wheel. The filter is attached to the format bar, so when the format bar is removed, the filter is accessed and can be replaced. This segmentation allows easy filter replacement while maintaining the filter's protective function during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The format bar is pre-assembled with the filter attached to it before being installed on the dosing wheel. This preliminary assembly ensures the filter is in place for reliable operation, and the entire format bar assembly can be quickly removed and replaced as a unit, simplifying filter maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If a single filter extends over multiple metering openings, then the number of filters required is reduced, but the difficulty of cleaning or replacing the filter increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of filtersVSAvoidfilter cleaning or replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The filter system is segmented by making the format bar removable. Although the filter itself extends over multiple openings, the entire filter+format bar assembly can be removed as one unit and replaced or cleaned externally, avoiding the need to disassemble the filter while it is installed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filter is extracted from the fixed structure and attached to the removable format bar. This allows the filter to be taken out together with the format bar for cleaning or replacement, solving the problem of accessing a large filter that spans multiple openings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This solution reduces the number of individual parts, simplifies assembly, and allows for efficient and compact operation with a single filter for multiple chambers, ensuring reliable and adjustable dosing while facilitating filter replacement.

Implementation Method 1

An adjusting means 10 are provided which have a cam-shaped contour. By rotating the adjusting means 10, the four common components 16 can be adjusted in the same way in the radial direction.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Implementation Method 2

Spring means 30 are fastened to the outside of the guide means 14 and engage in a shoulder 17 of the common component 16 on the outer circumference. The spring means 30 exerts a force directed towards the center of the dosing wheel 11 on the common component 16

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 3

The support means 20 has a common air duct 28 which connects to a plurality of dosing chambers 13. This ensures that the component can be further simplified and ensures reliable filling and emptying of the dosing chambers through the corresponding application of vacuum or compressed air.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum suction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP2678646B1Apparatus for metering pulverulent filling material
Publication Date: 2019.11.27 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2678646B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2678646B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention provides an apparatus for metering pulverulent filling material, comprising at least one metering wheel with a plurality of metering chambers for accommodating filling material, wherein a plurality of metering chambers are formed by means of a common component, and the common component can be displaced in the radial direction of the metering wheel using an adjusting means in order to change the volume of the metering chambers.