Helical Rod Conveyor Screw for Consistent Bulk Item Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing devices for items like candy, tea, and nuts suffer from inconsistent feeding due to varying quantities in the container, leading to fluctuating output.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing device with a conveyor screw featuring elongated rods arranged helically around a semi-cylindrical container, providing a constant flow by maintaining a limited area for item delivery, and adjustable components like a lifting device and adjustment plate to optimize feeding precision and prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional auger screw mechanism is used to dispense items from a container, then the device can deliver products, but the feeding amount fluctuates significantly depending on the quantity of items remaining in the container
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor screw is segmented into multiple discrete elements (elongated rods arranged helically) rather than a continuous screw thread. This segmentation creates distinct feeding zones that maintain consistent item pickup regardless of the bulk material level in the container, resolving the fluctuation problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The elongated rods are positioned at specific locations and angles to create optimized feeding zones. By carefully selecting the angular positions and spacing of individual rods, the system ensures consistent item engagement and delivery throughout the container's depletion cycle.
2Ease of operation
If the container is designed with a semi-cylindrical lower section to facilitate item flow, then dispensing is improved, but the amount of items in the container varies greatly during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static container design to a dynamic conveying mechanism where the rotational motion of the conveyor screw actively controls item flow. The helical elongated rods create dynamic feeding zones that adapt to varying item quantities while maintaining consistent delivery.
3Device complexity
If deflectors are introduced to prevent item bridging and remove weight from the auger, then the auger mechanism is simplified, but feeding consistency becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential feeding function from the traditional auger screw mechanism and implements it through simpler elongated rods arranged helically. This extraction removes unnecessary complexity while maintaining effective item conveyance and consistent feeding.
Solution Approach 2:
The elongated rods are designed as simple, replaceable components rather than a complex continuous screw mechanism. This simplification reduces manufacturing complexity and maintenance requirements while achieving the desired feeding consistency through proper geometric arrangement.
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
Ensures a consistent and controlled delivery of items, maintaining a constant flow rate throughout the container's depletion and adapting to different products by adjusting the dispensing opening and rod positions.
Implementation Method 1
a conveyor screw rotatably arranged around the longitudinal axis (A) in the lower section of the container to feed items towards the dispensing opening
Implementation Method 2
said conveyor screw furthermore comprising at least two elongated rods extending helically from the outer periphery of the upstream member arranged in a first angular position in relation to the longitudinal axis A to the outer periphery of the downstream member arranged in a second angular position
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a dispensing device (10) for delivery of items of candy, tea, coffee beans, nuts or the like, said dispensing device comprising: a stationary container (20); a conveyor screw (30) and drive means (50). The conveyor screw (30) comprises a downstream (31) and an upstream member (32) arranged transverse to the longitudinal axis (A) and at least two elongated rods (37) extending helically from the outer periphery of the upstream member (32) to the outer periphery of the downstream member (31).