Modular Metering System with Rotatable Platform for Ingredient Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current metering systems in the chemical, food, and pharmaceutical industries face challenges in accurately and efficiently measuring different forms of ingredients, as they require specialized devices for each type, leading to inefficiencies in data communication, device interlinking, and scalability, resulting in high human error and inability to handle varying batch sizes effectively.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent modular metering system with modular storage containers, metering units, and conveyor systems, equipped with wireless communication memory cards, allowing for the precise measurement of various ingredients, including liquids and powders, and enabling remote control through the Internet of Things architecture, facilitating unlimited expansion and flexible recipe execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If specialized metering devices are used for each type of ingredient (powder, liquid, granule, paste), then metering precision for each ingredient type is improved, but device complexity and system scalability worsen due to the need for multiple special devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal metering device that can handle multiple ingredient types (powder, liquid, granule, paste) through a single integrated system. The device uses a rotatable platform with different metering mechanisms (screw conveyor for powder, pump for liquid, etc.) that can be positioned at different locations around the platform, allowing one device to perform functions that previously required multiple specialized devices
Solution Approach 2:
The metering device is divided into modular functional segments (powder metering mechanism, liquid metering mechanism, weighing mechanism, etc.) that are spatially separated around a rotatable platform. Each segment handles a specific ingredient type or function, but the entire system operates as an integrated unit through the rotatable platform that brings different segments into position as needed
2Measurement precision
If different metering devices and weighing devices are used for different ingredients, then measurement accuracy is improved, but data communication and device interlinking worsen due to inability to achieve communication between devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple previously separate devices (metering devices for different ingredient types and weighing devices) into a single integrated metering device. The weighing mechanism is integrated within the same device structure as the metering mechanisms, and all components communicate through a unified control system, eliminating data communication barriers between separate devices
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system is designed to handle varying batch sizes from 0.001 kg to 100 kg, then adaptability to different production needs is improved, but measurement precision worsens due to the huge difference in amount demand
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic adjustment capabilities where the rotatable platform can be rotated to different positions, and the control system can dynamically select appropriate metering mechanisms and parameters based on the required batch size. The weighing mechanism can adapt its measurement range, and the metering mechanisms can adjust their operation mode to maintain precision across a wide range from 0.001 kg to 100 kg
4Device complexity
If conventional metering systems are used for small amount production, then device simplicity is maintained, but productivity and response time worsen due to inability to immediately respond to market changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system is pre-configured with multiple metering mechanisms and a rotatable platform structure that can immediately switch between different ingredient types and batch sizes. The control system has pre-programmed capabilities to handle various production scenarios, allowing the device to respond immediately to market changes without requiring complex reconfiguration or additional equipment
Data Source
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AI summary
An intelligent modular metering system consisting of a storage device, first storage containers, second storage containers, a delivery device, first metering units, second metering units, a first conveyor unit, a second conveyor unit, receptacles and a control unit is disclosed. The control unit controls the delivery device and the first conveyor unit to deliver the first storage containers or the second storage containers to the receptacles at the mating first metering units or second metering units, and then controls the second conveyor unit to the receptacle a predetermined location to complete the recipe. The invention allows different forms of ingredients of one same formula to be metered in the intelligent modular metering system. The storage containers and metering receptacles are modularized for unlimited system capacity expansion and respectively equipped with a wireless communication memory card for storing and metering different forms of ingredients, creating a basic architecture of the Internet of Things practical for remote control.