Confectionery Metering Valve Separates Wear and Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing candy mass dosing units face issues with the frequent opening and closing of pinch valves, leading to elastomer membrane wear and short operating life, and require precise adjustment of dosing quantity, which is often inefficient due to the coupling of primary and secondary functions.
Innovation Solution
The candy mass dosing unit separates primary and secondary functions into distinct components, using a robust check valve for frequent opening and closing and a pressurized metering valve for precise dosing quantity adjustment, allowing for long service life and efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pinch valve is used for frequent opening and closing to control dosing quantity, then the dosing quantity can be adjusted, but the elastomer membrane wears quickly and service life is short
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the dosing valve into two separate functional components: a check valve for frequent opening and closing operations, and a metering valve for precise dosing quantity adjustment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, with the check valve handling high-frequency operations and the metering valve providing precise control, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the dosing quantity adjustment function from the pinch valve mechanism and implements it through a separate metering valve. This extraction removes the wear-inducing elastomer membrane from the frequent opening/closing cycle while preserving the ability to adjust dosing quantity through the metering valve's different opening degrees
2Device complexity
If primary and secondary functions are coupled in a single valve, then device complexity is reduced, but dosing precision and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coupled functions into separate valves: the check valve handles the primary function of opening and closing, while the metering valve handles the secondary function of dosing quantity control. This segmentation improves dosing precision by allowing the metering valve to be specifically optimized for precise flow control, while the check valve is optimized for reliable frequent operation
3Device complexity
If a single valve handles both opening/closing and dosing quantity control, then the structure is simplified, but operational efficiency and service life decrease due to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the opening/closing function from the dosing quantity control function into distinct valves. The check valve is optimized for high-frequency opening and closing operations with minimal wear, while the metering valve provides precise dosing control. This segmentation enables the system to maintain high operational efficiency and productivity by allowing each valve to perform its specialized function optimally
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 separation of functions extends the service life of the dosing unit and improves operational efficiency by reducing wear on the primary function while enabling precise and efficient adjustment of the dosing quantity, allowing for high-frequency dosing cycles with minimal downtime.
Implementation Method 1
a separate shut-off valve for alternately opening and closing. When the check valve is closed, no confectionery mass escapes from the outlet opening
Implementation Method 2
a dosing valve for adjusting the dosing quantity
Data Source
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AI summary
A device (1) for dispensing a confectionery mass comprises a plurality of confectionery mass dispensing units (2) arranged side by side. Each of the confectionery mass dispensing units (2) has a shut-off valve (18), a dispensing valve (22), and an outlet opening (26). The outlet opening (26) serves to dispense a measured quantity of confectionery mass from the confectionery mass dispensing unit (2). The dispensing valve (22) serves to adjust the dispensed quantity. The shut-off valve (18), which is provided in addition to the dispensing valve (22), serves to alternately open and close, whereby no confectionery mass exits the outlet opening (26) when the shut-off valve (18) is closed.