Segmented Dosing Orifice for Independent 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 lack the ability to individually and precisely control each outlet, leading to inefficiencies in filling complex moulds and increased demand for compressed air.
Innovation Solution
A dosing orifice with variable opening width and an electric drive mechanism, allowing independent control of each outlet, featuring a shutter aperture aligned with the container's axis and a segmented design for precise control of material flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple dosing device with a hole pattern plate and counterplate is used, then the mould can be filled with free-flowing material, but individual control of each outlet is not possible and the filling quality depends on the hole pattern design
Solution Approach 1:
The dosing device is segmented into multiple independently controllable outlets, each with its own shutter aperture. This allows individual control of material flow from each outlet, enabling precise filling of complex mould geometries without requiring complex hole patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter apertures are made dynamically controllable through electric drive mechanisms, allowing real-time adjustment of opening width for each outlet. This dynamic control enables adaptation to changing filling requirements and improves filling precision.
2Productivity
If a dosing disc with rotary vibrations is used to achieve outlet flow, then material can be conveyed in pulses with adjustable flow rates, but controlling individual nozzles or openings is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the material flow control into separate controllable units at each outlet. Each outlet has its own shutter aperture that can be independently controlled, allowing individual nozzle control while maintaining overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary vibration mechanism of traditional dosing discs is replaced with electrically actuated shutter apertures. This substitution enables individual electronic control of each outlet while maintaining material flow capability.
3Productivity
If compressed air is increased to fill complex moulds, then filling speed can be improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Compressed air is applied locally and selectively at specific outlets rather than uniformly across all outlets. This allows compressed air to be used only where and when needed for complex geometries, improving filling speed while reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic adjustment of opening width parameters for each shutter aperture. This enables optimization of material flow rates to match filling requirements, reducing the need for excessive compressed air and associated energy consumption.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the centre of the aperture opening is not on the same axis as the centre of the container outlet, then the aperture can accommodate different goods, but the material flow centre may not align with the outlet centre
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter aperture is designed with asymmetric positioning capability, allowing the aperture centre to be offset from the outlet centre axis. This enables accommodation of different goods and aperture configurations while the electric drive mechanism ensures precise control of material flow alignment.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a dosing orifice with variable opening width for dosing flowable and/or free-flowing material from a container with a container base having at least two outlets, and wherein the flowable 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 base can be controlled separately and independently via the dosing orifice.