Open Trough Transport Screw for Gentle Product Conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weighing arrangements, such as multihead weighers, face challenges in conveying sensitive, sticky, and flexible product materials like fresh meat, poultry, and fish, as vibrational and screw conveyor methods are not stable, well-defined, or gentle enough.
Innovation Solution
A motor-driven helically-shaped transport screw positioned in an open trough is used to convey product materials from an infeed to a weighing system, with a control unit managing the motor to deliver precise portions, minimizing mechanical influence and ensuring gentle handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a screw conveyor is used to convey product material, then conveyance stability is improved, but mechanical influence on the product material increases
Solution Approach 1:
The screw conveyor is segmented into discrete dosing mechanisms, each capable of independent operation. This allows controlled conveyance of small portions of product material, reducing the mechanical influence on each individual portion while maintaining overall conveyance stability through coordinated operation of multiple segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The screw conveyor system employs dynamic control of the screw rotation speed and direction through motor control units. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to different product materials and conveyance requirements, maintaining stability while minimizing mechanical stress on sensitive products.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If vibrational conveyance is used for sensitive product materials, then mechanical influence is reduced, but conveyance stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces vibrational conveyance mechanisms with a controlled screw conveyor system. This substitution provides a more stable conveyance method for sensitive products by using controlled mechanical rotation rather than vibration, eliminating the instability associated with vibrational conveyance while maintaining gentle handling through controlled screw geometry and speed.
3Manufacturing precision
If a closed screw conveyor is used, then conveyance control is improved, but product material accessibility for cleaning and maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The closed screw conveyor is divided into multiple accessible segments or dosing mechanisms that can be individually accessed for cleaning and maintenance. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to reach into each segment without disassembling the entire system, maintaining conveyance control while improving accessibility for cleaning and repair operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The screw conveyor incorporates dynamic positioning capabilities that allow segments to be moved or adjusted during maintenance operations. This dynamic adjustment enables easy access to internal components for cleaning and repair while maintaining the closed, controlled conveyance structure during normal operation.
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
This solution provides a well-defined and gentle conveyance of sticky and flexible product materials, ensuring stable and precise delivery even for sensitive products that are not suited for vibrational conveyance, maintaining product integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a motor-driven transport screw formed as a helically-shaped member positioned in an open trough for conveying the product material
Data Source
AI summary
A weighing arrangement includes an infeed for product material to be weighed and at least one dosing mechanism for controlled conveying of product material portions from the infeed to a weighing system. The dosing mechanism includes a motor-driven transport screw positioned in an open trough for conveying the product material from the infeed to the weighing system, and a control unit for controlling the motor in order to deliver a desired portion of product material to the weighing system. This weighing arrangement provides a gentle, well-defined conveyance of product materials that are not suited for vibrational conveyance or conveyance by a screw conveyor in a tubular housing.