Filling Device Actuation Element with Adjustable Bellows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filling devices lack a simple and integrated method for regulating filling speed and opening/closing of the filling valve, as well as volumetric measurement, which complicates the filling process, especially for beverages containing CO2.
Innovation Solution
The filling device incorporates length-adjustable bellows on either side of the control valve seat, allowing axial adjustment and integration with a magnetically inductive flow meter for precise control of filling speed and quantity, enabling efficient and compact volumetric measurement and valve operation without separate actuators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate actuators are used for control valve and filling valve, then each valve can be controlled independently, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control valve and filling valve actuators into a single integrated actuating element. The control valve element and filling valve element are both arranged on this one actuating element, allowing both valves to be controlled through a single actuator that moves axially to adjust both valve positions simultaneously, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining operational control.
Solution Approach 2:
The single actuating element serves multiple functions: it actuates both the control valve and the filling valve, and it also provides volumetric measurement capability through the integrated flow meter arrangement. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate actuators for each valve while maintaining independent control capability.
2Length of moving object
If telescopic sleeve is used for length adjustment, then axial adjustment is achieved, but hygiene is compromised due to gaps where germs can accumulate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the telescopic sleeve with bellows elements that have smooth, easy-to-clean surfaces. The bellows provide the necessary axial adjustment capability while maintaining a continuous, gap-free surface that prevents germ accumulation. The bellows can be made of hygienic materials and are designed to be easily cleanable, thus resolving the hygiene issue while preserving length adjustability.
3Measurement precision
If volumetric measurement is added to control filling quantity, then filling precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow meter is integrated into the product channel structure itself, surrounding the actuating element. This integration allows volumetric measurement to be performed without adding separate, complex measurement systems. The flow meter is positioned to measure the product flow directly in the channel, providing precise filling quantity control as part of the existing valve and channel structure.
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 easy adjustment of filling speed and quantity, ensures a hygienic and tight product channel, and facilitates precise control of the filling process, including opening and closing the valve, enhancing the filling device's efficiency and hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetically inductive flow meter, which preferably surrounds the product channel
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a filling device (10; 50; 70; 76; 80) for filling liquids, comprising a product supply (12) and a valve assembly (24, 26) which is arranged downstream of the product supply and which contains a regulating valve (24), a filling valve (26) arranged downstream in the flow direction of the product, and an elongated actuation element (20; 52; 78) which is common to the two valves. The filling device has a product channel (14) which runs in the longitudinal direction of the actuation element and which extends from the product supply (12) to a dispensing opening (16) of the filling device. The valve assembly (24, 26) is arranged in the product channel, the regulating valve (24) has an actuation element-side regulating valve element (32) which interacts with a regulating valve seat (28) in order to control the product quantity to be filled, and the filling valve (26) has an actuation element-side filling valve element (40) which interacts with a filling valve seat (38) in order to open and close the filling valve. Both the regulating valve element and the filling valve element are arranged on the actuation element (20; 52; 78), and the filling device has at least one driven actuator (18; 28, 32, 60) in order to change the position of the actuation element relative to the regulating valve seat and the filling valve seat as part of a filling process. An integrated assembly with a high throughput is implemented in that the regulating valve seat (28) is arranged in the product channel (14) via at least one first and second longitudinally adjustable element (34, 36) which are located on regulating valve seat faces facing away from each other, and the distance from the regulating valve seat (28) to the filling valve seat (38) can be varied.