Infusion Dosing Device with Vibration-Isolated Weighing Platform
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dosing devices for infusion products in automatic machines face precision issues due to dynamic weight control and machine vibrations, leading to dosing errors and the need for frequent recalibration.
Innovation Solution
A dosing device with a combination of real-time weighing elements and reference elements, connected to a control unit, which adjusts the dosing process to maintain precision and adapt to vibrations, allowing for precise and high-productivity dosing by comparing real-time weight measurements with reference values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If dynamic weight control is used in moving containers, then dosing speed and productivity are improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to acceleration and deceleration movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the weighing operation before the container begins its movement cycle. The container is filled and weighed in a stationary position, then moved to the discharge location. This preliminary weighing action eliminates measurement errors caused by motion, while the subsequent rapid movement maintains high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The dosing system is divided into separate functional zones: a filling and weighing zone where containers are stationary and precisely measured, and a transport zone where containers are rapidly moved. This spatial segmentation allows simultaneous optimization of both measurement precision and dosing speed in different parts of the system.
2Device complexity
If dosing device is applied directly on the machine, then integration and compactness are improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to machine vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The weighing function is extracted from the vibrating machine structure and placed on a separate, vibration-isolated platform. This extraction allows the dosing device to remain integrated with the machine while the sensitive weighing operation occurs in a mechanically independent, stable environment.
Solution Approach 2:
A rigid, vibration-dampening platform serves as an intermediary between the vibrating machine and the weighing system. This intermediate structure mechanically decouples the weighing operation from machine vibrations, protecting measurement precision while maintaining system integration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If segmented dosing with multiple weighing steps is used, then dosing control and adaptability are improved, but device complexity and recalibration needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single weighing operation provides feedback on the actual dose dispensed, which is used by the control unit to calculate and apply compensation values. This feedback mechanism enables adaptive dosing control without requiring multiple weighing steps, simplifying the system while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves adaptability by dynamically changing the compensation parameter based on actual weighing results. Instead of using multiple fixed dosing steps, the system adjusts the dosing parameter (compensation value) in real-time, reducing complexity while maintaining dosing control and adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A dosing device for feeding an infusion product includes: a tower for containing loose infusion product, tubular channels for feeding and discharging the product, first containers for receiving the product from the channels; each channel actuated by an actuation device for releasing a quantity of product; a fixed platform supporting the first containers, a plurality of elements for weighing the product in the containers and supported by the platform; a control unit in communication with each actuating device and with each weighing element, to detect the value measured by each element and actuate the corresponding channel until reaching the quantity of product. Reference elements are independent of the weighing elements are associated with the platform, each supporting a weight of predetermined value; each reference element is in communication with the control unit to transmit a signal equivalent to the measured value of the reference weight by the reference element.