Particle Dosing Chute Vibration Control for Overlap Prevention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing measuring instruments for analyzing particle quality in industrial productions, such as seed quality, face challenges in accurately separating particles before analysis, leading to inaccuracies in computer-based methods due to overlapping particles.

Innovation Solution

A measuring instrument with dosing chutes and vibration generators, where a camera and light source are placed above the chutes to monitor particle density and control vibration intensity, ensuring particles are separated before entering the analysis area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If particles are conveyed through dosing chutes to the analysis area, then particle quality analysis can be performed, but particles may overlap leading to inaccurate analysis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle quality analysis accuracyVSAvoidanalysis accuracy due to particle overlap
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies vibration to the dosing chutes to control particle flow and separation. By mechanically vibrating the chutes, particles are separated into individual units as they fall through the analysis area, preventing overlap and ensuring accurate imaging and analysis of each particle's quality parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

2Measurement precision

If light sources and cameras are placed below dosing chutes, then particle density can be measured, but the flow of particles cannot be monitored

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle density measurementVSAvoidparticle flow monitoring capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the camera above the dosing chutes instead of below, changing the observation dimension. This overhead positioning allows the camera to capture both the particle density on the chutes and the flow of particles as they move through the analysis area, providing comprehensive monitoring capability in a single viewpoint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Manufacturing precision

If vibration intensity is increased to separate particles, then particle separation improves, but control precision becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle separation qualityVSAvoidvibration control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system where the camera continuously monitors particle density and flow on the dosing chutes. This visual information is fed back to control the vibration intensity, allowing precise adjustment of vibration levels to achieve optimal particle separation while maintaining accurate control through real-time observation and adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 instrument effectively separates particles into individual units, enhancing the accuracy of quality analysis by preventing overlap and ensuring high precision in determining parameters like size, quality, and type.

Implementation Method 1

a first dosing chute (2) having a first receiving end (4) and a first delivering end (5), which first dosing chute is attached to a first vibration generator (8), a second dosing chute (3) having a second receiving end (22) facing the first delivering end (5) and a second delivering end (23), which second dosing chute is attached to a second vibration generator (11)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

a first light source (27) and a first camera (1), wherein the first light source and the first camera are placed above the first dosing chute (2) and the second dosing chute (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4187227B1Measuring instrument and method of use
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 SCANGRADING APS
  • EP4187227B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4187227B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4187227B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A measuring instrument (M;M';M";M‴) and a method for controlling the density of particles (16,6,17,18,19) in a particle stream is provided. The measuring instrument (M;M';M";M‴) comprises two or more dosing chutes (2,3) each having a vibration generator (8,11) attached thereto. Particles (16) on the first dosing chute (2) can be delivered in free fall to the second dosing chute (3). A first light source (27) and a first camera (1) are placed above the first dosing chute (2) and the second dosing chute (3). A computer unit (15) is connected to the first vibration generator (8), the second vibration generator (11), and the first camera (1) to control a dosing rate of the first dosing chute (2) to the second dosing chute (3) by means of signals from the first camera (1), wherein said signals are analyzed by the computer unit (15) to vary the vibration intensity of the vibration generators (8,11).