Dosing Unit Outlet Geometry for Material Adherence Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dosing materials tend to adhere to the inner walls of dosing heads, causing obstruction in the discharge process, especially in areas with powder bridges or when materials have solidified due to storage or moisture absorption.

Innovation Solution

A dosing system design featuring a dosing unit with an outlet opening oriented at a predetermined angle to the direction of movement, combined with a linear or circular area on the inner surface to maximize shearing forces, ensuring efficient detachment and conveyance of dosing material, and optionally incorporating a blade-shaped edge or variable closure mechanisms for improved separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the receiving device is moved to loosen and agitate the dosing material, then the material flow is improved and powder bridges are broken up, but the dosing material adheres to the inner wall of the dispensing head, particularly in the area of the discharge opening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial flowVSAvoidmaterial adherence
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The inner surface of the base is given a specific geometric configuration (linear region at predetermined angle) in the area where material adherence occurs. This local modification of surface geometry creates favorable flow conditions and reduces adherence in the critical discharge region while maintaining the loosening effect elsewhere.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The linear region on the inner surface is oriented at a predetermined angle that is not symmetric with respect to the discharge opening. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes the shear forces acting on adhering material and facilitates its detachment during the movement of the receiving device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Stability of the object's composition

If oscillating swivel movements are applied to agitate solidified dosing material, then the material is brought into a more fluid state, but the material adheres to the inner wall during the agitation process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial fluidityVSAvoidmaterial adherence
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The linear region with predetermined angle is specifically designed for the area where material transitions from solidified to fluid state. This local geometric feature ensures that when oscillating movements are applied, the shear forces are maximized at the critical interface between the material and the wall, preventing adherence during the fluidization process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Oscillating swivel movements are applied to the receiving device to agitate the dosing material. These mechanical vibrations break up solidified material and promote fluidity, while the specially designed linear region on the inner surface works in conjunction with these vibrations to prevent material from adhering to the walls during agitation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

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

The system effectively minimizes material adherence to the inner wall, ensuring continuous flow and efficient discharge of dosing materials with varied properties, even when they have coagulated or sedimented.

Implementation Method 1

maximum shear forces being achieved in the at least linear region between the inner wall and the dispensed material adhering to it during movements of the receiving device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShear forces: Shear Stress

Implementation Method 2

the dispensed material, detached from the inner wall by the shear forces, slides efficiently out of the dispensing unit through the outlet opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2458345B1Dosing system
Publication Date: 2020.09.23 METTLER TOLEDO GMBH
  • EP2458345B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2458345B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2458345B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The unit (50) has an inner area (73) limited by a side wall (79) and a bottom portion (78). An outlet opening (75) is formed in the bottom portion, where the dosing unit is connected with a retaining device of a dosing device. An inner surface of the bottom portion has a line-shaped area that projects from the opening. The line-shaped area is extended along a movement direction (V), and a middle longitudinal axis (X) of the opening is aligned in a predetermined angle (alpha) to the direction, where the angle measured between the line-shaped area and the axis is smaller than 90 degrees. An independent claim is also included for a dosing device comprising a dosing unit.