Powder Supply Apparatus Measuring Shaft Leveling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing powder supply apparatuses face challenges in accurately supplying a fixed trace amount of powder, especially with low flowability or small particle diameter powders, and require additional space for downstream processes, leading to inefficiencies and limitations in apparatus usage.
Innovation Solution
A powder supply apparatus featuring a measuring shaft with a recess, a powder filling mechanism, a slide mechanism, a leveling member, and an axial rotation mechanism, along with optional features like a cylinder, agitator blades, air blowing unit, and vibration mechanism, to ensure accurate and efficient powder supply while minimizing space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If powder is supplied by rotating the rod-like member 180° at the original position, then powder can be discharged from the measuring recess, but powder with low flowability may be supplied before the recess is filled, and small particle powder may adhere to other portions of the rod-like member
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by filling the measuring recess with powder before rotating the rod-like member. The powder filling mechanism fills the recess to a predetermined level, and only then does the rotation occur to discharge the powder. This ensures that the correct amount of powder is in the recess before supply begins, preventing both premature supply and adhesion issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the powder supply process into distinct stages: (1) powder filling into the recess, (2) leveling the powder surface, (3) rotating to discharge position, and (4) powder discharge. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, ensuring accurate measurement while maintaining supply efficiency.
2Reliability
If various configurations such as powder agitation mechanism and hopper unit are added above the predetermined position, then powder can be filled and agitated, but space above the predetermined position is occupied, limiting downstream process options
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the powder filling and agitation functions into a single integrated hopper unit located at the top of the rod-like member. The hopper serves both as the powder reservoir and the agitation mechanism, eliminating the need for separate agitation devices above the predetermined position. This consolidation maintains reliable powder supply while freeing up space for downstream processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The hopper unit is designed to perform multiple functions: storing powder, agitating powder to prevent clumping, and controlling powder flow into the measuring recess. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed above the predetermined position, thereby preserving space for downstream operations.
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 apparatus ensures precise supply of a fixed trace amount of powder by leveling and rotating the powder, facilitating its drop from the recess, and includes features to agitate and detect powder levels, thereby enhancing accuracy and freeing up space for downstream processes.
Implementation Method 1
a cylinder rotation mechanism that rotates the cylinder so as to agitate the powder in the cylinder and fill the recess with the powder
Implementation Method 2
an axial rotation mechanism that directs the recess downward by rotating the measuring shaft about the axis of the measuring shaft and supplies the leveled powder in the recess downward from the recess by dropping the powder
Implementation Method 3
an air blowing unit that agitates the powder by blowing air in the cylinder
Implementation Method 4
a vibration mechanism for facilitating the drop of the powder from the recess facing downward by vibrations
Data Source
AI summary
A powder supply apparatus includes a measuring shaft having a recess to be filled with powder, and a powder filling mechanism for filling the recess of the measuring shaft with the powder. The powder supply apparatus includes a rotary cylinder for sliding the measuring shaft along an axis of the measuring shaft, and a distal-end cover plate of a cylinder where the powder in the recess is leveled off by a slide of the measuring shaft. The rotary cylinder directs the recess downward by rotating the measuring shaft about the axis of the measuring shaft and supplies the leveled powder in the recess downward from the recess to a lifting plate at a predetermined position by dropping the powder.