Dosing device, beverage dispensing device and worm body
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensing devices suffer from 'after-flow' of powder products due to incomplete removal, leading to inconsistent dosing and reduced economic efficiency, as accidental bumps can dislodge remaining powder and uneven product takeoff along the worm body results in incomplete emptying of the holder.
Innovation Solution
The dosing device incorporates an additional worm thread at the outer end of the spindle, which extends beyond the delivery opening, allowing for controlled reverse rotation to ensure complete removal of powder, and a worm thread design that varies in volume and pitch to enhance uniform takeoff and prevent bridge formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single worm thread is used for dosing powder, then the device structure is simple, but after-flow occurs and dosing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single worm thread is divided into multiple worm threads (first worm thread and second worm thread) that are spatially separated and positioned at different locations on the worm body. This segmentation allows each thread to handle different portions of the powder, ensuring complete removal and preventing after-flow while maintaining dosing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple worm threads are arranged in different spatial dimensions around the worm body periphery. This dimensional arrangement ensures that powder remaining in different locations within the holder can be effectively engaged and removed, solving the after-flow problem without complicating the basic worm drive structure.
2Device complexity
If the worm body extends only to the delivery opening, then the device structure is compact, but powder removal is incomplete and after-flow occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The worm body is extended beyond the delivery opening to reach into the holder where the powder is stored. This preliminary positioning allows the worm threads to engage and remove powder before it can accumulate or flow unintentionally, ensuring complete removal and preventing after-flow.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform worm thread pitch is used, then the manufacturing is simple, but product takeoff is uneven and bridge formation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the worm body are equipped with worm threads having different pitch characteristics. The first worm thread has a first pitch suitable for engaging powder in certain regions, while the second worm thread has a second pitch optimized for other regions. This local differentiation ensures uniform product takeoff throughout the holder and prevents bridge formation, while the overall structure remains manufacturable.
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
Significantly reduces 'after-flow' and ensures precise dosing by maintaining contact with the powder until it is fully removed, preserving the powder's character and preventing unintentional delivery of residual product, thus enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of the dispensing process.
Implementation Method 1
a worm body comprising a spindle, on a periphery of which extends a worm thread running at least substantially in a spiral over the periphery of the spindle... when rotated, to move the powder out of the holder to the outlet
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a dosing device for a product in powder form, comprising a holder (10) intended to hold a first quantity of the product therein. The holder is provided with dosing means to draw off the product from the holder and move it to an outlet. The dosing means comprise a worm body (20) with a worm thread (21). In a first aspect the worm body comprises at an outer end facing toward the outflow opening at least one further worm thread (22) which runs between the first worm thread (21). In a second aspect the worm thread (21) encloses a smaller volume between successive turns at a base than between successive turns in a part thereof located further toward the outer end.