Fiber Dispensing Hopper With Adjustable Outlet to Prevent Clumping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for adding fibers to concrete or asphalt mixtures are inefficient, unsafe for workers, and fail to provide uniform and accurate dispensing of micro and macro-fibers within required batch times, often resulting in clumping and inconsistent distribution.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a dispensing hopper with a movable surface and conveyor, controlled by a sensor and controller, to adjust the discharge rate and prevent clumping, along with a dosing wheel to manage the flow of fibers, ensuring accurate and safe dispensing of both micro and macro-fibers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual loading of fiber bags is used, then worker flexibility is maintained, but worker safety deteriorates and loading efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation where the automated dispenser handles fiber dispensing without manual intervention. The hopper fills automatically from bulk bags, the conveyor transports fibers autonomously, and the dispensing mechanism regulates fiber flow without worker involvement, eliminating safety hazards while maintaining operational efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical loading operations with an automated mechanical system. The dispenser apparatus substitutes human labor with automated mechanisms including a conveyor belt system, regulated discharge outlet, and controlled dispensing mechanism, thereby improving safety while maintaining operational flexibility
2Measurement precision
If small bags of fiber are loaded individually by hand, then precise control over fiber addition is possible, but productivity deteriorates and time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the fiber dispensing process into distinct functional stages: bulk storage in hopper, automated conveying on belt, regulated dispensing through adjustable outlet, and controlled addition to concrete. This segmentation enables both high productivity through continuous operation and precise control through the regulated dispensing mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary automated dispensing system between the bulk fiber storage and the concrete mixture. This intermediary apparatus includes a conveyor belt for transport and a regulated discharge outlet for controlled dispensing, enabling precise fiber addition control while dramatically improving loading speed compared to manual methods
3Productivity
If fibers are dispensed quickly to meet batch times, then productivity is improved, but fiber distribution uniformity deteriorates and clumping occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic control of the dispensing process through an adjustable discharge outlet that can modify opening size during operation. The conveyor belt speed and discharge outlet configuration can be dynamically adjusted to optimize both dispensing speed and fiber distribution uniformity, preventing clumping while meeting production batch times
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the dispensing mechanism, specifically adjusting the discharge outlet opening size and conveyor belt speed, to control fiber flow rate and distribution pattern. These parameter adjustments enable the system to maintain uniform fiber distribution even at high dispensing speeds required for production efficiency
4Productivity
If bulk bags are used to increase loading efficiency, then productivity is improved, but worker safety deteriorates due to dangerous positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The automated dispenser system performs self-service in receiving and processing bulk fiber bags. The hopper is filled automatically, the conveyor operates autonomously to transport fibers from the hopper to the dispensing mechanism, and the entire process requires no worker positioning in dangerous areas, maintaining high loading efficiency while eliminating safety hazards
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the dangerous manual handling operations from the fiber loading process. By removing workers from the fiber loading and dispensing operations and replacing them with automated mechanisms, the system retains the productivity benefits of bulk bag usage while eliminating the safety risks associated with worker positioning near moving equipment and elevated platforms
Data Source
AI summary
A system for dispensing a metered amount of a fiber additive into a concrete mixing system. The system includes a dispensing hopper to hold the fiber additive and to selectively dispense the fiber additive. A discharge outlet is included having an adjustable area formed between a fixed surface and a movable surface. Fiber additive exiting the dispensing hopper passes between the fixed surface and the movable surface. A conveyor and dosing wheel are the fixed and movable surfaces and dispense the fiber additive through the discharge outlet. A sensor senses an amount of fiber additive within the system and a controller controls the amount of fiber additive dispensed from the system. The specific amount is controlled by altering either a speed of the conveyor or dosing wheel or the distance between the fixed surface and the movable surface. As any of the above decrease, fiber additive discharge decreases.