CIP SIP Dosing Unit with Ceramic Plastic Composite Body
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing volumetric dosing apparatuses for filling machines are complex, bulky, and laborious to handle, requiring manual intervention for mounting and disassembly, and are prone to contamination and inefficiencies in cleaning and sterilizing processes, especially in aseptic environments.
Innovation Solution
A dosing unit with a ceramic tubular element and a plastic covering element forming a single body, featuring a joint mechanism for automatic connection to driving means and stop means for precise positioning, allowing for easy handling and CIP/SIP operations without manual disassembly, and a compact structure resistant to impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If separate rotating pistons and valves are used with distinct driving members, then the dosing precision and valve control are improved, but the device complexity and mounting complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the piston and valve into a single integrated piston-valve component, eliminating the need for separate rotating pistons and valves with distinct driving members. This integration reduces the number of parts and simplifies the mounting procedure while maintaining dosing precision through the unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston-valve serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the dosing piston and the switching valve. By making the piston itself rotatable to control fluid direction, the design eliminates the need for a separate valve mechanism, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving dosing accuracy.
2Stability of the object's composition
If dosing syringes are mounted in supporting frames with shaped seats and fixing brackets, then the support stability is improved, but the mounting and dismantling procedures become laborious and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The dosing syringe is designed as a modular unit with distinct functional segments (cylinder, piston-valve, drive shaft connection) that can be independently assembled and disassembled. This segmentation allows for simplified mounting and dismantling procedures while maintaining stable support when installed in the supporting frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates dynamic connection features such as the prismatic joint between the drive shaft and piston that allow for quick attachment and detachment. The fixing brackets and shaped seats provide stable support during operation but enable rapid installation and removal when needed.
3Reliability
If driving members are arranged above the syringes inside containing casings, then the cleanliness and hygiene are improved, but the accessibility to processing zone and operating means are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of arranging driving members above the syringes as in conventional designs, this patent inverts the arrangement by positioning the drive shaft and connection mechanisms at the lower end of the piston. This inversion improves accessibility to the processing zone while maintaining cleanliness through proper sealing and containment.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the cylinder is open at both ends to enable piston and valve connection, then the assembly flexibility is improved, but the contamination risk and handling complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The piston-valve is nested within the cylinder in a telescopic arrangement, allowing the piston to extend and retract while remaining protected within the cylinder housing. This nested configuration provides assembly flexibility while minimizing contamination risk by limiting exposure of internal components.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates flexible sealing elements and protective coverings that allow the piston to move within the cylinder while maintaining a sealed environment. These flexible barriers prevent contamination while permitting the necessary mechanical motion and assembly flexibility.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A dosing unit comprises piston means (3) movable along a first axis (W1) in a cavity (4) of casing means (5), provided with an inlet (82) and with an outlet (83) for a product to be dosed, and in a further cavity (53) of the casing means (S), connected to and substantially coaxial with the cavity (4) and provided with a further outlet (54) for cleaning and/or sterilising fluids; the casing means (5) comprises an internal tubular element (51), in which the cavity (4) is made, and a covering element (52), that externally envelops the internal tubular element (51) and extends from an end of said internal tubular element (51) in such a way as to form the further cavit (53).