Movable Screens for Particulate Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for dispensing beneficial arthropods with particulate carriers, such as bran or sawdust, face issues with irregular dispensing and clogging due to poor flowability of the carrier materials.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for dispensing particulate materials that includes a reservoir with movable screens and closing means, allowing for alternating movement to push against the particulate material and improve flow, even for non-free-flowing materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing dispensing systems are used for particulate materials with poor flowability, then the system structure remains simple, but irregular dispensing and clogging occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces movable screens that can change position within the reservoir to dynamically interact with particulate material. The screens move between different positions to push material toward the opening, creating a dynamic system that adapts to materials with poor flowability and prevents clogging while maintaining dispensing regularity
Solution Approach 2:
The screens perform periodic back-and-forth movements within the reservoir. This periodic action creates rhythmic pushing forces on the particulate material, ensuring consistent flow patterns and preventing material from blocking the dispensing opening, thereby improving dispensing reliability
2Productivity
If manual sprinkling is used to dispense beneficial arthropods, then the equipment complexity remains low, but labour intensity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir system is designed to automatically dispense particulate material through the interaction of movable screens with the material itself. The screens' movement automatically pushes material toward the opening without requiring external intervention, enabling the system to serve itself and significantly reducing labour requirements compared to manual sprinkling
3Reliability
If screens move to push particulate material, then dispensing homogeneity improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The screens perform partial movements within the reservoir rather than complete emptying actions. The screens move enough to push material toward the opening and achieve homogeneous dispensing, but do not require excessive movement that would consume unnecessary energy, optimizing the balance between dispensing quality and energy consumption
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 achieves a more homogeneous and regular dispensing of particulate materials, reducing the risk of clogging and ensuring effective distribution, even for materials with poor flowability.
Implementation Method 1
moving the screens between a first and a second position, such that in their movement from a first to a second position, the screens push against particulate material
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for dispensing a particulate material in a target area and a device suitable for use in the method. The method comprise (i) providing a reservoir comprising openings for the particulate material, (ii) providing a number of closing means suitable for at least partially closing the openings of the reservoir (iii) providing a number of screens in the void of the reservoir, said screens being movable, through the void of the reservoir between at least a first and a second position (iv) loading particulate material in the reservoir, (v) moving the reservoir loaded with particulate material over the target area and at least partially opening the number of openings while alternatingly moving the screens between a first and a second position and vice versa.