Gravimetric Dosing Shuttle with Decoupled Weighing Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bulk material component merging systems are limited in throughput and flexibility, as they require transport containers to move in a single direction, dependent on the grid dimension of the chain or belt drive, which restricts independent movement and precise dosing according to a specific recipe.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a controlled-driven carriage that can be coupled and decoupled from transport containers, allowing them to move along parallel guide segments with integrated weighing functions, enabling independent positioning and dosing at each storage container, and using a shuttle to passively guide transport containers without a dedicated drive, reducing the need for multiple shuttles and enhancing throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a chain or belt drive is used to move transport containers along the guide, then the containers can be transported between storage containers, but the movement is restricted to a single direction and dependent on the grid dimension of the drive, reducing flexibility and throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism is extracted from the central chain/belt drive and transferred to individual shuttles. Each shuttle has its own drive unit, allowing independent movement of transport containers without being constrained by a fixed grid system or single-direction chain drive.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static, fixed-grid chain drive to a dynamic shuttle-based system where individual containers can be accelerated, decelerated, and positioned independently at different locations along the guide, enabling flexible multi-directional movement.
2Measurement precision
If a stationary weighing device with a lifting device is used for each storage container, then gravimetric dosing can be ensured, but the system complexity increases and throughput is reduced due to the need to stop and lift containers at each dosing position
Solution Approach 1:
The weighing function is merged into the mobile shuttle rather than being separate and stationary. The shuttle incorporates a weighing device that moves with the transport container, allowing continuous weighing during transport and eliminating the need for lifting operations at dosing positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The weighing process becomes continuous as the shuttle moves the transport container along the guide, rather than requiring intermittent stopping and lifting at each dosing position. This maintains dosing precision while significantly improving throughput.
3Ease of operation
If transport containers are moved on a guide with rails and rollers, then the containers can be guided between storage containers, but the containers can only move in one direction and individual positioning is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous guide system is segmented into multiple independent shuttles, each capable of operating autonomously. This allows individual transport containers to be positioned at specific locations along the guide without being constrained by a single-direction flow or fixed grid dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The shuttle acts as an intermediary between the guide system and the transport container, providing the drive force and weighing function while allowing the container to be independently positioned and transferred at any location along the guide.
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 configuration allows for high throughput and flexible movement of transport containers, enabling precise dosing and mixing of bulk material components according to a recipe, with the potential for cost savings and efficient handling of multiple containers simultaneously.
Implementation Method 1
a separate weighing device is assigned to each storage container in order to gravimetrically record the component transferred from the respective storage container into the transport container
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system for gravimetrically combining individual bulk goods components in one or more transport containers (5). The system comprises a plurality of storage containers (12) for storing the bulk goods components equipped with one dosing unit (3) each, in order to transfer each of the bulk goods components into the transport container (5). One weighing device is associated with each of the storage containers (2) below each of the same. The transport containers (5) can be moved along a guide (4) between the dosing units (3) of the storage containers (2) and work together with the weighing devices. According to the invention, the guide comprises a plurality of guide segments (4a, 4b, 4c) disposed one after the other, on which the transport containers (5) are guided, and that at least the guide segments disposed below the dosing units (3) of the storage containers (2) are in the form of weighing/guiding segments (4b) that are mechanically decoupled from the other guide segments or weighing/guiding segments (4a, 4b, 4c), so that the transport container is located on the weighing/guiding segments (4b) in each dosing position, in order to measure the weight thereof.