Dosing Device Circular Flow Channels Pneumatic Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dosing devices face challenges in complete emptying and cleaning due to dead zones, material adherence, and electrostatic charging, leading to inefficient material flow and cleaning processes.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves a dosing device with circular, smooth flow channels and a controller system that uses driven shut-off slides and compressed air to facilitate automatic and efficient cleaning, ensuring uninterrupted material flow and thorough cleaning without manual effort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a rectangular feed zone with rough cast surfaces is used, then manufacturing effort is reduced, but material flow is impeded due to dead zones and nests forming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing effortVSAvoidmaterial flow

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The feed zone is designed with a circular cross-section instead of rectangular, and all transition areas feature rounded contours without sharp edges or undercuts. This curvature eliminates dead zones where material could accumulate, ensuring smooth material flow while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard circular machining processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Strength

If the auger bearing protrudes into the filling zone, then the screw conveyor is supported, but material flow is disturbed and emptying is prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebearing supportVSAvoidmaterial flow and emptying

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing housing is designed to be recessed within the housing wall rather than protruding into the filling zone. The bearing is nested within this recessed area, providing structural support while keeping the filling zone clear for uninterrupted material flow and complete emptying.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of positioning the bearing support in the horizontal plane where it would protrude into the filling zone, the support structure is moved to the vertical dimension by recessing it into the housing wall, thus separating the support function from the material flow path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If manual cleaning is performed, then material residues are removed, but production time is lost and operator diligence is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning thoroughnessVSAvoidproduction time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The dosing device is designed with self-cleaning capabilities through compressed air blasts that automatically remove material residues from the feed zone and screw conveyor. The system serves itself by using its own compressed air supply to clean internal components, eliminating the need for manual intervention and minimizing production downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Compressed air is directed through nozzles positioned at strategic locations within the dosing device to blast material residues from the feed zone and screw conveyor surfaces. This pneumatic cleaning mechanism provides thorough cleaning automatically without requiring manual labor or significant production time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

4Reliability

If electrostatic charging occurs on vertical walls, then material adheres to surfaces, but complete emptying becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial adherenceVSAvoidemptying efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Compressed air is directed along the vertical walls of the feed zone to counteract electrostatic charging effects and prevent material adherence. The pneumatic flow disrupts static charge buildup and keeps material particles moving freely, ensuring complete emptying without residues sticking to surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 approach allows for reliable, quick, and automatic cleaning of the dosing device and screw conveyor, preventing material adherence and ensuring continuous operation with minimal operator intervention.

Implementation Method 1

controlled compressed air is fed into the feed funnel and thus into the interior of the dosing device and to the screw conveyor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompressed air: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2564946B1Method for cleaning metering devices used to fill devices, e.g. extruders, injection moulding machines or the like with bulk goods - pellets, fillings, granulates, powders, flakes, grains, flour or the like, and device for performing such a method and control for cleaning such a metering device

Publication Date: 2014.09.24 WOYWOD KUNSTMASCHEN & VERTRIEBS

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AI summary

The invention relates to a method, a device, and a control system for cleaning a dosing device. It demonstrates how dosing devices can be cleaned optimally and reliably.