Systems and methods for dosing a flowable solid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for dispensing flowable solids, such as powders, struggle with accurately and consistently delivering doses without the need for scoops or additional tools, often leading to messiness, inefficiency, and difficulty in cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring a dosing device with radially extending walls and a handle that rotates incrementally to dispense a precise dose of flowable solid upon downward force, allowing easy assembly and disassembly for cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing systems for dispensing flowable solids are used, then dispensing can be performed, but accurate and consistent dosing is difficult to achieve without additional tools like scoops
Solution Approach 1:
The dosing device is divided into multiple dosing volumes (first dosing volume, second dosing volume, etc.) that are sequentially positioned. Each dosing volume is designed to hold a precise dose of flowable solid, allowing accurate dosing through mechanical segmentation rather than requiring external measuring tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs dosing automatically through the rotation mechanism. When the handle is actuated, the dosing device rotates to position the filled dosing volume at the outlet, and the dose is dispensed without requiring the user to manually measure or transfer the material with separate tools.
2Measurement precision
If a dosing device with multiple components is used to achieve precise dosing, then dosing accuracy improves, but cleaning and maintenance become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The dosing device is designed as a removable component that can be separated from the body. This segmentation allows the dosing device to be easily removed for cleaning without disassembling the entire container, simplifying maintenance while maintaining multiple dosing volumes for accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The dosing device is extracted as a separate, removable component from the body. This allows it to be easily removed for cleaning and maintenance purposes, reducing the complexity of cleaning the entire system while preserving the precise dosing functionality of the multi-volume design.
3Measurement precision
If the dosing device rotates incrementally to dispense doses, then consistent dosing is achieved, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The handle serves multiple functions: it actuates the rotation mechanism and simultaneously positions the dosing device. The ratchet wheel combines with the dosing device rotation, creating an integrated mechanism that achieves consistent incremental rotation without requiring separate complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The ratchet mechanism automatically controls the incremental rotation of the dosing device. Each actuation of the handle self-regulates the rotation through the ratchet wheel, ensuring consistent dosing without requiring external control mechanisms or complex automation systems.
4Ease of operation
If the handle moves freely between positions, then operation is simple, but controlled incremental rotation is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet wheel mechanism enables periodic, controlled incremental rotation of the dosing device with each handle actuation. The handle can move freely in the actuation direction, but the ratchet wheel ensures that rotation occurs in precise, repeatable increments, combining operational simplicity with rotational control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The ratchet mechanism self-regulates the rotation control without requiring additional control elements. The handle operates simply with free movement, while the ratchet wheel automatically enforces the incremental rotation pattern, separating the simplicity of operation from the precision of control.
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
Enables consistent, accurate dispensing of flowable solids without additional tools, simplifies cleaning, and reduces waste by minimizing contact with the substance during use.
Implementation Method 1
the first dosing volume is configured to receive the flowable solid from the storage volume by gravity
Implementation Method 2
the handle is coupled to the body by a tension spring, wherein the tension spring extends as the handle moves from the first positions to the second position
Implementation Method 3
the system further includes a ratchet wheel coupled to the dosing device. In some embodiments, the handle includes a projection that engages with the ratchet wheel to rotate the ratchet wheel when the handle moves from the first position to the second position
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relate to systems for dispensing a flowable solid. The system can include a body, a dosing device, and a handle. The body can include a storage volume, an inlet, an outlet, and a dosing chamber disposed between the storage volume and the outlet. The dosing device can be disposed at least partially within the dosing chamber. The dosing device can be rotatable about a horizontal axis and include a central shaft extending along the horizontal axis, a walls extending radially outward from the central shaft, dosing volumes defined in part by the walls. Each dosing volume can hold one dose of the flowable solid. The dosing device can restrict flow of the flowable solid from the storage volume to the outlet. The dosing device can rotate incrementally about the horizontal axis such that one dose of the flowable solid is dispensed through the outlet with each incremental rotation.