Pivoting Closure Element for Abrasive Bulk Material Filling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filling devices for bulk goods in packaging machines face issues with high wear, contamination, and downtime due to abrasive bulk materials causing wear on valve components and requiring frequent maintenance, which affects flow rate and cleanliness.
Innovation Solution
A filling device with a controllable channel closure featuring a pivoting closure element mounted on one side of the filling channel, driven by a cylinder shaft, allowing for easy assembly, maintenance, and ventilation to reduce wear and contamination, with a design that minimizes exposure to product flow when open, ensuring reliable operation and low maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pivotable valve with closure plate is used in the filling channel, then the channel can be closed and opened, but the pivot axis and closure plate experience continuous high wear due to frictional contact with abrasive bulk material
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the closure element from the product flow path. The closure element is positioned in a receptacle that extends transversely through the filling channel, allowing it to close the channel without being exposed to abrasive bulk material during operation. This removes the harmful frictional contact between the closure element and the bulk material, significantly reducing wear and extending service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a receptacle as an intermediary structure between the closure element and the filling channel. The receptacle protects the closure element from direct contact with abrasive bulk material while still allowing the closure element to effectively seal the channel. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by providing both sealing capability and protection against wear.
2Reliability
If the closure element is positioned centrally in the filling channel, then it can effectively close the channel, but it creates high flow resistance and friction when open
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the closure element from the central product flow path and positions it in a transverse receptacle. When open, the closure element does not protrude into the filling channel, eliminating flow resistance and friction. When closed, it effectively seals the channel by spanning across it from the transverse position.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the positional dimension of the closure element from a longitudinal central position to a transverse position perpendicular to the flow direction. This dimensional change allows the closure element to seal the channel effectively while remaining out of the way during flow, resolving the contradiction between sealing effectiveness and flow efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If the closure element is exposed to the product flow, then it can be actuated to close the channel, but it accumulates deposits and blockages that impede flow
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the closure element from exposure to the product flow by positioning it in a transverse receptacle. The closure element remains accessible for actuation through the drive shaft extending from the housing, but is not exposed to bulk material during operation. This prevents accumulation of deposits and blockages, eliminating the harmful effect while preserving actuation capability.
4Reliability
If a traditional valve design is used, then the channel can be controlled, but frequent maintenance and replacement are required causing system shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the closure element from the harmful environment of abrasive bulk material contact. By positioning it in a transverse receptacle where it is not exposed to the product flow, the wear is dramatically reduced. This extends the service life of the closure element and pivot axis, minimizing maintenance frequency and system downtime while preserving channel control capability.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
Filling device (1) for a packaging machine for the automatic filling of pourable goods (5) into containers (4), comprising: a housing (40) and a filling channel (2) formed therein, and a controllable channel closure (3) to control the filling of pourable goods (5) into containers (4). The channel closure (3) comprises a pivotable closure element (6), which in the mounted state is accommodated in a closure receiver (32) in the housing (40), the closure receiver (32) extending transversely through the filling channel (2) in a transverse direction (44). The closure element (6) comprises a drive shaft (7), which extends out of the housing (40) on a drive side (45) of the housing (40), and via which the closure element (6) can be controllably pivoted to close the filling channel (2) in a closed position (11) and, at least in a central region (34), to completely release said filling channel (2) in an open position (13). A wall (15) of the housing (40) comprises an insertion opening (49) for the closure element (6) to allow the insertion or removal of the closure element (6) through the insertion opening (49) into or out of the closure receiver (32) during assembly or maintenance. The closure element (6) is mounted to one side of the filling channel (2) on the drive side (45) and is sealed off from the housing (40) on the drive side (45) by means of a round section (8) of the element.