Instant Powder Conveyor with Return Screw Against Bridging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation devices face issues with the bridging of instant powder due to steam or humidity, leading to reduced or interrupted conveying function of wire conveyor spindles, and uneven distribution of instant powder, which can cause the lid of the container to lift undesirably.
Innovation Solution
A conveying device with a return screw arranged above the wire conveying spindle, which transports accumulated instant powder back into the container, ensuring even distribution and preventing accumulation at the outlet opening, along with an elastically adjustable impact element to loosen powder and prevent bridging, both driven by a common motor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a wire conveying spindle or conveyor screw is used to convey instant powder, then precise metering of smaller amounts is achieved, but the conveying function is reduced or interrupted due to bridging caused by steam or humidity
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into two functional zones: a storage area for bulk powder and a conveying section with the wire spindle for precise metering. This segmentation allows the bulk storage to be separated from the precision dosing function, reducing bridging interference while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
A wire mesh spindle is introduced as an intermediary conveying mechanism between the powder storage and the outlet. The wire mesh structure prevents complete bridging by allowing steam and humidity to pass through while still enabling powder conveyance, thus maintaining reliability without sacrificing precise metering capability.
2Measurement precision
If instant powder is conveyed horizontally by a rotatable wire conveying spindle, then smaller amounts are precisely metered, but instant powder accumulates at the end of the conveying section causing lid lifting
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of allowing powder to accumulate at the outlet end, the container geometry is inverted in its lower section to create an upward slope toward the outlet. This inversion uses gravity to naturally return accumulated powder to the conveying section, maintaining even distribution while preserving precise metering.
Solution Approach 2:
The container transitions from a horizontal conveying section to a vertically sloping return section. This dimensional change introduces a gravitational component that automatically redistributes accumulated powder back into the conveying zone, ensuring uniform distribution without affecting the precision of the wire spindle metering.
3Reliability
If means for loosening instant powder such as agitators, vibrators, or paddles are used, then bridging is prevented, but considerable technical effort and additional drives are required
Solution Approach 1:
The complex loosening mechanisms (agitators, vibrators, paddles) are extracted and replaced by a simpler wire mesh spindle design. The wire mesh structure inherently prevents bridging through its open geometry, eliminating the need for additional loosening devices and their drives, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable conveying.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire mesh spindle serves dual functions: it conveys powder with precise metering and simultaneously prevents bridging through its permeable structure. This self-service capability eliminates the need for separate loosening mechanisms, reducing technical effort and device complexity while ensuring reliable conveying function.
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 ensures uniform distribution of instant powder, prevents lid lifting, and maintains effective conveying without additional drives, reducing wear and ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
a return screw (16) arranged above a wire conveying spindle (7) or conveying screw, with which instant powder is transported in the normal conveying direction over a conveying section to the outlet opening (4), which reverse conveying screw (16) runs in the opposite direction
Implementation Method 2
an elastically adjustable impact element to loosen powder and prevent bridging
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7
AI summary
The instant powder conveying device (1) has a rotable wire-conveying spindle (7) or conveyor worm arranged in a base area of the instant powder container (2) in horizontal manner. An end of the rotable wire-conveying spindle or conveyor worm provides a discharge aperture (4). A return screw (16) is arranged in the instant powder container above the wire-conveying spindle or conveyor worm, and is parallel to the instant powder conveying device.