Dosage Dispensing Device Flow Parameter Adaptation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dosage-dispensing devices for powders and pastes face challenges in achieving high precision and efficiency due to varying flow properties influenced by factors like bulk density, humidity, particle size, and shape, leading to inconsistent target weight accuracy and prolonged dispensing times.
Innovation Solution
A dosage-dispensing device equipped with a control-and-regulation unit and memory module that adapts the dispensing program using flow parameters, which are determined or retrieved from a database based on the specific properties of the substance, allowing for precise control of the outlet opening and closing, thereby optimizing the dispensing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a continuous delivery program is used to account for balance response time, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to prolonged dispensing time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary determination of flow parameters before the actual dispensing process. By measuring the bulk density and other flow characteristics in advance, the control unit can pre-calculate the optimal dispensing program that accounts for balance response time, thereby achieving precise dosing without prolonged dispensing time during actual operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces continuous mechanical adjustment of dispensing rate with a pre-calculated control program. Instead of continuously modulating the dispensing mechanism to compensate for balance response time, the system uses offline measurements and online calculations to determine flow parameters, then executes a predetermined dispensing sequence that inherently accounts for system dynamics
2Manufacturing precision
If flow parameters are determined through first-run measurements, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to initial calibration process
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-characterization by automatically measuring its own flow parameters during a first run with a reference substance. The control unit independently determines bulk density and other flow characteristics without requiring external calibration equipment or manual intervention, thereby reducing calibration time while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from requiring extensive calibration to using minimal first-run measurements. By measuring only key flow parameters (bulk density, flow rate) during an initial run and then using these parameters for subsequent dosing calculations, the system achieves high precision with minimal time investment
3Manufacturing precision
If a small outlet opening is used to deliver substance into narrow containers, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to flow control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the flow control function from the mechanical outlet structure and relocates it to the control unit. Instead of using complex mechanical adjustments or active control mechanisms at the outlet, the system determines flow parameters through measurements and calculations, then controls the dispensing process through software-based flow rate determination and timing
Data Source
AI summary
In the method of optimizing the dosage-dispensing process of a dosage-dispensing device, an examination takes place prior to a first dosage delivery, whether at least one flow parameter relating to the dosage-dispensing process is stored in the memory module of the dosage-dispensing unit. If a stored flow parameter is found to be present, said flow parameter is called up from the memory module. If no store flow parameter is present, a flow parameter is requested by the user by entering a request, a flow parameter is called up from a central database, or at least one flow parameter is determined by means of the first run of the dosage-dispensing process based on a default setting of the dosage-dispensing program. With the at least one flow parameter, the dosage-dispensing program is directly adapted, at least one run of the dosage-dispensing process is performed with the adapted dosage-dispensing program, and/or the at least one flow parameter is stored in the memory module. As a prerequisite for performing the method according to the invention, a dosage-dispensing device is required which comprises a drive device with a control- and regulation unit operable to execute a dosage-dispensing program, wherein a dosage-dispensing unit can be set in place in, and removed from, the drive device and wherein the dosage-dispensing unit is equipped with at least one memory module.