Segmented Dosing Unit for Adaptive Multi-Outlet Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for controlling the flow of free-flowing materials from containers with multiple outlets are inefficient, requiring significant time and resources to adjust to changes in mold geometry, leading to decreased efficiency and increased demand for compressed air.
Innovation Solution
A dosing unit with independently controllable outlets, featuring a segmented shutter mechanism with an electric drive and actuator motor, allowing precise control of opening and closing of each outlet, and a transmission unit to synchronize the movement of shutter segments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple metering device with a perforated plate and counter-plate is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to changed mold geometry decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The metering device is divided into multiple independently controllable outlets, each with its own dosing unit. This segmentation allows selective opening and closing of individual outlets to adapt to different mold geometries without redesigning the entire metering plate, thus maintaining simplicity while improving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static perforated plate to a dynamic system where each outlet can be independently opened or closed via dosing units with electric drive mechanisms. This dynamic control enables rapid adaptation to changing mold requirements without physical reconfiguration.
2Ease of manufacture
If the center of the orifice does not coincide with the center of the container outlet, then the dosing precision is reduced, but the ease of manufacture is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The dosing unit incorporates a closure orifice with a specific geometric center that is deliberately positioned to coincide with the axis of the container outlet. This local precision in the closure mechanism compensates for any misalignment in the overall system, ensuring accurate dosing while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular design.
3Productivity
If individual outlet control is implemented, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each dosing unit is designed as a universal module that can be applied to any outlet in the container base. This multi-functionality allows individual control of each outlet while using identical standardized components, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
4Speed
If compressed air demand is increased to fill complex molds, then the filling speed is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of opening all outlets simultaneously with high compressed air demand, the system selectively opens only the necessary number of outlets required to fill the mold at the desired speed. This partial action reduces energy consumption while maintaining adequate filling speed by optimizing the number of active outlets rather than maximizing air pressure across all outlets.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a container for storing and dispensing free-flowing and/or free-flowing material with a container bottom having at least two outlets, wherein the free-flowing and/or free-flowing material can be removed from the container through these at least two outlets, characterized in that each outlet in the container bottom can be controlled separately and independently via a dosing unit.The present invention further relates to a metering unit with variable opening width for metering free-flowing and/or free-flowing material, comprising: - an opening (16) for the free-flowing and/or free-flowing material, wherein the opening (16) is designed for connection to an outlet of a container, - a closing orifice (6) for opening and closing the opening (16) for the free-flowing and/or free-flowing material, - an electric drive and actuator motor (1) for the closing orifice (6), wherein the geometric center of the closing orifice (6) is located on the axis of the opening (16) for the free-flowing and/or free-flowing material.