Fragile Product Dropping Device With Flexible Brush Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for dropping fragile products, such as insects, in natural environments often damage the products due to shear effects and lack precision in controlled quantities, especially when used in aircraft, which disrupts their operation and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A device with a storage hopper and a distribution system featuring a flexible communication means, such as a brush with threads or filaments, that guides products from the hopper to cavities on a rotating or translating support, minimizing shear stress and allowing precise control over dropping quantities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a worm drive is used to drop fragile products, then the dropping can be performed in controlled quantities, but a large proportion of the fragile products are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution means is divided into multiple cavities (first cavity, second cavity) that can be independently filled and emptied. This segmentation allows precise control over the quantity of products dropped while each cavity protects products during transfer, preventing damage from direct exposure to the discharge mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible communication means acts as an intermediary between the discharge means and the cavities. It allows products to be transferred from the discharge means to the cavities through a controlled interface, preventing direct contact with harsh mechanical elements that would cause damage while maintaining precise quantity control.
2Ease of operation
If a vibration table is used to drop fragile products, then the operation can be simple, but the vibration of the transport means disrupts the operation and loses accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The support is designed to rotate about a vertical axis, dynamically transitioning cavities between different positions relative to the discharge means. This dynamic configuration allows the system to maintain operational simplicity while achieving precise control over product distribution, as the rotation can be easily controlled and adjusted without complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The support rotates periodically to bring cavities into position for filling and then moves them to discharge positions. This periodic action provides simple, repeatable operation while ensuring precise control over when and where products are dropped, maintaining accuracy despite any transport vibrations.
3Productivity
If a belt conveyor is used to drop fragile products, then the system can handle large quantities, but they injure the insects and cannot be used for small quantities
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the product flow into discrete cavities that can be individually controlled. This allows the system to handle any quantity from single insects to large numbers by simply adjusting how many cavities are filled and their fill frequency, while each cavity protects products from injury during transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system can change operational parameters such as the number of active cavities, fill frequency, and rotation speed to adapt to different productivity requirements. This flexibility allows the system to handle both small and large quantities while maintaining gentle product handling through the cavity-based transfer mechanism.
4Productivity
If the support is located close to the discharge means, then the filling is efficient, but the fragile products are damaged by shear effect
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible communication means serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the discharge means and the cavity. It allows the support to be positioned optimally for both efficient filling and product protection, as the flexible connector transmits products gently while accommodating the necessary distance to minimize shear effects.
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
Enables the precise and damage-free dropping of fragile products by reducing shear stress and dispersion, ensuring effective environmental impact with measurable effects in predefined areas.
Implementation Method 1
avoiding the fragile products from being damaged by shear effect between the discharge means and the sides of the cavity
Implementation Method 2
In the first position, the cavity is filled, by gravity, with fragile products
Data Source
AI summary
A device (10) for dropping fragile products (5) comprising:—a storage means (4) for storing said products, comprising a discharge means (4a) for discharging said products, —a means for distributing the fragile products comprising at least one cavity (1a, 1b) provided in the surface of a support (2), the support being capable of assuming at least two positions, a first position in which the at least one cavity is located opposite and at a distance from said discharge means and can be filled with fragile products, and a second position in which said cavity is spaced apart from said discharge means and can be emptied, said device further comprising a flexible means (3) for bringing the discharge means with the at least one cavity into communication in order to fill said cavity with fragile products.