Dosing Flap Tube Section for Bulk Material Metering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for metered delivery of pourable or free-flowing materials onto a conveyor belt face challenges with clumped materials and sticking issues, particularly with thawing materials, which complicates accurate dosing and distribution.

Innovation Solution

A device with a tube section that includes a dosing flap and a conveying flap, both pivotable by motors, allows for periodic variation of the dosing distance to prevent material compression and sticking, using a coupling mechanism to ensure synchronous pivoting and maintain minimal contact with the material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the dosing distance is kept constant, then the dosing precision is maintained, but the material sticks to the pipe section inner wall particularly when thawing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing precisionVSAvoidmaterial sticking
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic variation of the dosing distance through oscillating or reciprocating movement of the pipe section or dosing gate. This periodic action prevents material from adhering to the pipe inner wall by continuously changing the contact conditions, while maintaining accurate dosing through controlled movement parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If the material is delivered continuously, then the productivity is improved, but the clumped material cannot be delivered with desired dosage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery speedVSAvoiddosing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic adjustment of the dosing distance through movable pipe sections or adjustable dosing gates. This allows the system to adapt to varying material flow conditions, maintaining dosing accuracy for clumped materials while preserving continuous delivery capability through real-time parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the pipe section is designed with simple structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the material sticking and compression problems cannot be solved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepipe section structureVSAvoidmaterial sticking
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the pipe section into movable and stationary parts, or segments the dosing mechanism into adjustable components. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each part - the movable portions prevent sticking while the stationary portions maintain structural simplicity, resolving the contradiction between complexity and functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Facilitates the accurate and efficient delivery of materials like frozen food items by preventing sticking and ensuring consistent dosing, even when materials are clumped or thawing, improving distribution precision and reducing material loss.

Implementation Method 1

a tube section which is arranged for gravity conveyance onto the conveyor belt

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP1884489B1Device and method for metered output of bulk or free-flowing goods
Publication Date: 2009.05.27 DR AUGUST OETKER NAHRUNGSMITTEL KG
  • EP1884489B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1884489B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP1884489B1 patent drawingFigure 1Bi~1Biii

AI summary

The device has a tube section (7) that is arranged on a conveyor belt (5) and comprising an opened end with a circulating edge area (7uR), which faces the conveyor belt. The tube section is attached to a varying unit for periodic variation of a dosing distance (d) of a section of the edge area. The end of the tube section has a dosing flap that is provided in a conveying direction (31) of the conveyor belt for dosing the goods (3), where the flap is pivotable around a pivot axis by using a motor. An independent claim is also included for a method for dosed delivery of bulk or free-flowing goods to a conveyor belt.