Piezoelectric Gravimetric Feeder for Jam-Free Granular Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dry granular solid feeders face issues with consistency, accuracy, and reliability due to maintenance needs, mechanical complexity, and uncontrolled volumetric sessions, particularly in hazardous environments.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state gravimetric dosing feeder using vibratory motion with piezoelectric benders to ensure precise delivery of dry granular solids into containers, eliminating moving parts and requiring minimal maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical feeders with moving parts are used, then feeding function is achieved, but maintenance requirements increase and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical feeders with moving parts (screw conveyors, belt conveyors, gear mechanisms) with a solid-state vibratory feeder that uses piezoelectric actuators to generate vibrations. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear, bearing failures, and gear damage while maintaining the feeding function, thereby improving reliability and reducing maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the problematic moving parts (motors, bearings, gears, screws) from the feeder system. By taking out these mechanical components that cause maintenance issues, the design achieves a solid-state system that maintains feeding capability through vibratory motion alone, directly addressing the reliability-maintenance contradiction.
2Measurement precision
If load cells and variable speed motors are used, then feeding control is achieved, but device complexity and maintenance needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces load cells and variable speed motors with a vibratory feeder controlled by piezoelectric actuators. The feeding rate is controlled by adjusting vibration frequency and amplitude rather than using mechanical speed control, eliminating the need for complex motor control systems and load cell measurements while maintaining precise feeding control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from mechanical speed (motors) or weight (load cells) to vibratory frequency and amplitude. By controlling the feeder through vibration parameters rather than mechanical speed or load measurements, the system achieves precise feeding control with simpler electronics and no moving parts, resolving the precision-complexity contradiction.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If hazardous environments are considered, then safety requirements are imposed, but mechanical parts increase maintenance and reliability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical feeders with solid-state vibratory components that have no moving parts. This substitution is particularly important for hazardous environments (explosive atmospheres, clean rooms, food processing) where mechanical parts could create sparks, contamination, or reliability issues. The piezoelectric actuators provide precise control without mechanical wear or moving parts, improving reliability while maintaining safety in hazardous environments.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If clean room compatibility is required, then contamination control is needed, but mechanical parts pose contamination risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes all mechanical components (motors, bearings, gears, screws) that could contaminate clean rooms. By taking out these parts, the system eliminates sources of particle generation and contamination while maintaining feeding functionality through solid-state vibratory mechanisms, directly addressing the contamination control requirement.
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 provides precise, reliable, and consistent delivery of dry granular solids with minimal maintenance, suitable for hazardous environments, and is compatible with clean rooms.
Implementation Method 1
The pan is actuated with piezoelectric benders which actuate material on the pan into a ballistic trajectory
Implementation Method 2
The feeder consists of a hopper, vibratory pre-feeder, weighing feeder, and electronic controls
Data Source
AI summary
A gravimetric solid-state dosing feeder system, configured for use in the movement of granular solids in an efficient manner while limiting jams and/or clogs in the feeder. The system employs bimorph benders in operation. The system provides rate and dosing accuracy to the limit of an individual pulse of material from the Pre-Feeder or depending on the feeder required flow rate, in the order of micrograms. The system is solid state in the sense that there are no bearings, gears, linkages, material shear plates and other moving parts. As such, it has the advantages of piezoelectric drives.