Bulk Material Metering Outlet Positioning for Dust Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bulk material metering apparatuses generate excessive dust, particularly with flour-containing materials, and often require complex and costly additional components like vacuum systems or shaking devices, which complicate the metering process and reduce efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a controllable conveyor system and accommodating device that positions the outlet relative to the container based on measured variables, such as current consumption and weight, to minimize dust generation and enhance compaction, eliminating the need for vacuum systems or shaking devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional bulk material metering apparatuses are used, then the metering function is provided, but excessive dust is generated particularly with flour-containing materials
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet of the conveyor is made movable relative to the container, allowing dynamic adjustment of the outlet position during the metering process. This enables the outlet to be positioned optimally to minimize dust generation while maintaining reliable metering function throughout the operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The position parameter of the conveyor outlet is changed during operation, transitioning from a fixed position to a variable position that can be adjusted based on the metering progress and dust generation conditions, thereby reducing harmful dust effects while preserving metering reliability.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If vacuum systems or shaking devices are added to reduce dust and improve compaction, then dust generation is reduced and compaction is improved, but the apparatus becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful dust generation is addressed not by adding complex vacuum or shaking systems, but by extracting and optimizing the outlet positioning function. The outlet is separated from the fixed structure and made independently movable, allowing dust reduction through positional optimization rather than through complex auxiliary systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable outlet mechanism serves multiple functions: it maintains reliable metering operation while simultaneously reducing dust generation and improving compaction. This single multi-functional solution replaces what would otherwise require separate vacuum systems and shaking devices, thereby reducing overall apparatus complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If shaking devices are added for compacting metered bulk material, then compaction is improved, but the metering apparatus becomes slower and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet is positioned to facilitate compaction during the metering process itself, rather than requiring a separate subsequent compaction step. By optimizing the outlet position in advance and during operation, the bulk material is compacted as it is being metered, eliminating the need for additional shaking operations that would slow down the overall process.
Solution Approach 2:
The compaction function is merged with the metering operation through the movable outlet mechanism. The same outlet that delivers bulk material also facilitates compaction by positioning the material optimally during delivery, combining two functions into one operation and thereby maintaining high productivity while achieving good compaction.
4Device complexity
If the outlet is fixed relative to the container, then the apparatus structure is simple, but dust generation is excessive and compaction is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet positioning is changed from a static fixed state to a dynamic adjustable state. The outlet can move relative to the container during operation, enabling it to adapt to different metering conditions and optimize both dust reduction and compaction while maintaining relatively simple apparatus 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
The solution significantly reduces dust generation and improves compaction efficiency during bulk material metering, simplifying the apparatus design and operation, and allowing for faster and more cost-effective metering processes.
Implementation Method 1
The outlet (12) and the accommodating apparatus (20) can be positioned relative to one another in dependence on a measurement variable... significantly reduces dust generation
Data Source
AI summary
The device (1) according to the invention for metering and in particular compressing bulk material (2) comprises a conveyor for metering the bulk material. The device (1) further comprises a measuring device for measuring a measuring variable and a receiving device (20) for receiving a container, in particular a bag (22). The conveyor has an outlet (12) for the bulk material (2). The container has a filling opening (23). The receiving device (20) and the outlet (12) can be positioned relative to each other dependent on the measuring variable during the metering of the bulk material (2) into the filling opening (23). In particular, the outlet (12) and the receiving device (20) can be positioned in a manner that can be controlled and/or regulated.