Movable Dosing Spoon with Linear Bearing for Food Filling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food filling devices lack precision and efficiency in dosing and transferring a defined volume of bulk materials, such as powdery or granular mixtures, into containers, often resulting in inconsistent filling and potential clogging due to moisture content.
Innovation Solution
A filling device with a movable dosing element supported by a storage module, featuring a linear bearing for adjustment between removal and transfer positions, and a stripping element to compact the filling material, along with a transfer element for reliable transfer to containers, and a drainage system to prevent liquid accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a movable dosing element is used to dispense bulk materials, then the dosing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for bearing modules and linear bearings
Solution Approach 1:
The dosing element is made movable through the bearing module and linear bearing, allowing it to dynamically adjust position between dispensing and transfer locations. This dynamic capability enables precise dosing control while maintaining operational flexibility, resolving the contradiction between precision and complexity by making the system adaptable rather than static
Solution Approach 2:
The device is segmented into distinct functional modules: the bearing module for positional control, the linear bearing for precise linear movement, the dosing element for material handling, and the stripping element for material preparation. This modular segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function, improving overall dosing precision without requiring the entire system to be overly complex
2Productivity
If the dosing element is moved between dispensing and transfer positions, then the efficiency of material transfer is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional bearing components
Solution Approach 1:
The linear bearing enables the dosing element to dynamically transition between dispensing and transfer positions along a controlled linear path. This dynamic positioning capability allows the system to optimize material transfer efficiency by moving the dosing element only when and where needed, rather than maintaining a fixed complex mechanism for continuous transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The linear bearing acts as an intermediary component that simplifies the connection between the bearing module and the dosing element. Instead of requiring complex direct coupling mechanisms, the linear bearing provides a straightforward intermediate interface that enables smooth, controlled movement, thereby improving transfer efficiency without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
3Manufacturing precision
If a stripping element is added to compact the filling material, then the filling consistency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stripping element is merged with the dosing element assembly, allowing both the dosing function and the stripping/compacting function to be integrated in a single coordinated component structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate, independent stripping mechanisms, thereby improving filling consistency through integrated material preparation while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The stripping element performs preliminary action by compacting and preparing the filling material before it is transferred to the container. By pre-compacting the material in the dosing element, the system ensures consistent filling density and volume is achieved in advance, improving manufacturing precision without requiring complex post-filling adjustment mechanisms
Data Source
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AI summary
According to the invention, a filling device, in particular a food filling device, for dosing a predetermined weight and/or volume of a filling material (14), comprising a collection container (20) which is provided for collecting the filling material (14) therein, a dosing element (24, 28) which is in particular designed as a dosing spoon which is provided for dosing the filling material (14) to remove a defined volume of the filling material (14) from the collection container (20), and a bearing module (26) which movably mounts the dosing element (24, 28), is proposed.