Rotary Piston Nozzle Recess for Precise Confectionery Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in efficiently dosing and handling flowable masses, particularly those containing larger objects, during the production of confectionery products like pralines, due to limitations in metering and conveying mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The design of a rotary piston with a recess that remains open during rotation, featuring a shell-like inner bulge and chamfered edges, combined with a plunger that engages partially in the recess, allows for efficient conveyance of fluid materials with larger objects, reducing dead spaces and energy requirements through precise metering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the recess in the pump plunger is enlarged to convey larger objects, then the capability to handle larger objects is improved, but the dead space increases causing material retention
Solution Approach 1:
The pump plunger is designed to rotate during the pumping cycle, dynamically changing the configuration of the recess. This rotation allows the recess to adapt its shape - appearing enlarged to accommodate larger objects during intake, then reconfiguring to minimize dead space during discharge, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and material retention
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the recess by rotating the pump plunger to different angular positions. At one angular position, the recess has a configuration suitable for receiving larger objects; at another position, the same recess presents a minimized dead space configuration for complete material discharge, thereby resolving the contradiction through parameter transformation
2Manufacturing precision
If the pump plunger is rotated 180° to align the recess with the outlet opening, then the metering function is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump plunger performs periodic rotation in sync with the pumping cycle, rotating to a specific angular position for metering/discharge and returning to the initial position for intake. This periodic action ensures precise dosing is achieved only when needed, minimizing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining dosing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The pump plunger's rotation is integrated with the pumping motion itself, where the reciprocating movement that drives the pumping action also automatically rotates the plunger to the correct angular position for metering. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate rotation actuators, reducing energy consumption while maintaining dosing precision
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for metering out a flowable mass, especially a mass containing fat, for producing confectionery products, for example to a nozzle for extruding a mass into a mold. The mass traverses an inlet opening (13) and enters a chamber (8) from where it can be extruded through an outlet opening (14) by means of a plunger (7). A rotary piston (12) is associated with the plunger (7) and closes the outlet opening (14) in a position of use and the inlet opening (13) in a second position of use. The invention is characterized in that the rotary piston (12) has a recessed portion (16 to 19) which extends from a front edge (15) of the rotary piston (12) towards its peripheral surface (25).