Filling Unit With Segmented Housing And Extraction Channel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filling units for pourable materials in sack-shaped or tubular casings face blockages due to coarse components, and are not suitable for on-site use, especially when dealing with dry filling materials.

Innovation Solution

A filling unit with axially parallel screws that radially mesh, featuring a minimal clearance design to prevent blockages by conveying coarse components into a channel above the screw conveyor, and additional internal and external shaking and vibration devices for efficient filling and compacting of materials, allowing for on-site operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional screw conveyors with tightly enclosing housings are used to transport pourable filling materials, then the filling unit can operate with enclosed transport, but coarse components such as stones can lead to blockages between the windings of the screw elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblockage-free operationVSAvoidscrew conveyor structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into a tightly enclosing lower portion and an open upper portion with a channel, creating distinct zones for different functions: the lower portion encloses the screw elements for efficient transport, while the upper channel provides a blockage-free path for coarse components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Coarse components are extracted from the problematic zone between screw windings and redirected into the upper channel, where they are conveyed separately to the outlet without causing blockages

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a piston press is used to drain highly water-containing filling material, then the filling material can be processed, but the device is unsuitable for filling casings with essentially dry filling materials and requires stationary operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuitability for different filling materialsVSAvoidpiston press system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The screw conveyor is designed to handle multiple types of filling materials (dry, wet, coarse, fine) through its radially meshing screw elements and channel configuration, eliminating the need for material-specific equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The filling unit is designed as a mobile device that can be transported to different locations, with the screw conveyor adapting its operation to handle various materials on-site rather than requiring stationary installation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If minimal clearance is provided between the peripheral edges of screw elements and the housing to prevent blockages, then coarse components are effectively managed, but the design must ensure no small coarse components can get between the peripheral edges and the shafts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblockage preventionVSAvoidclearance control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Different clearance characteristics are applied to different locations: minimal clearance between peripheral edges and housing for blockage prevention, while the channel design and shaft clearances are optimized to guide and eject small coarse components without jamming

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution effectively prevents blockages by conveying coarse components out of the screw conveyor and ensures continuous filling, enabling on-site use and efficient handling of dry filling materials.

Implementation Method 1

A screw conveyor F is arranged in an enclosure 2 and has three axially parallel screws 3, 4, 11 running in the same direction. The screw elements of the screws 3, 4, 11 are radially meshed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew conveyor mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

additional internal and external shaking and vibration devices for efficient filling and compacting of materials

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP2029432B1Filling unit
Publication Date: 2011.03.02 WINTER VON ADLERSFLUGEL JOHANNES BERNHARD
  • EP2029432B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2029432B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2029432B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a unit (1) for filling receptacles (B) with filling materials, especially for filling bag-shaped or tubular cases. Said filling unit (1) comprises a worm conveyor (F) which moves inside a housing (2) and is provided with at least two axially parallel worms (3, 4, 11) that run in the same direction or in opposite directions and encompass screw elements. The screw elements of the worms (3, 4, 11), which are arranged around each shaft (5, 6, 10), radially engage into one another and press the filling material from a feed opening (E) into the receptacles (B) that are removably fastened to an outlet orifice (A). The peripheral edges (7, 8, 12) of the screw elements have a minimum amount of clearance (S) relative to the internal surfaces of the housing (2) and the circumferences of the shafts (5, 6, 10). A duct (9) that receives and conveys coarse components of the filling material is disposed on the top surface of the housing (2).