Segmented Dosing Outlet for Patterned Paving Blocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Block-making machines face challenges in generating varied and natural patterns on paving blocks, particularly in replicating natural grain or marbling effects, while also being cost-effective and efficient.
Innovation Solution
A dosing apparatus with a partial closure element that allows the second bulk material component to emerge in segments, enabling a wavelike or irregular pattern by moving the filling box and partial closure element transversely relative to the block forming elements, creating a matrix-like arrangement and allowing for adjustable movement patterns to generate diverse patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a closure completely opens the outlet to fill bulk material efficiently, then filling speed is improved, but the material emerges in a homogeneous stream that cannot create varied patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is divided into a fixed portion and a movable partial closure element. The partial closure element can be independently positioned to create different opening patterns (full open, partially open with gaps, or fully closed), allowing the material to emerge in segments or continuous streams depending on the desired pattern effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The partial closure element is made movable relative to the filling box outlet, allowing dynamic adjustment of the opening configuration during operation. This enables the system to switch between different filling modes (continuous vs. segmented) and create various patterns by controlling the position and movement of the partial closure element.
2Device complexity
If a single outlet is used to simplify the dosing apparatus, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to create natural grain or marbling patterns is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple separate outlets, a single outlet is segmented in its opening configuration through the partial closure element. This creates multiple material streams from one outlet, achieving pattern diversity without the complexity of multiple outlets or filling boxes.
Solution Approach 2:
The single outlet with the adjustable partial closure element serves multiple functions: it can fill material continuously for solid colors, create segmented streams for striped patterns, generate wavelike patterns through controlled movement, and produce random patterns for natural grain effects. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate outlets for different pattern types.
3Productivity
If the closure remains fully open during filling, then filling efficiency is maximized, but control over material flow pattern is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The partial closure element provides dynamic control over the outlet opening during the filling process. It can be moved to different positions (fully open, partially open with specific gap patterns, or fully closed) to balance between filling efficiency and pattern control requirements for different production needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening configuration parameter of the outlet is made adjustable through the partial closure element's position. By changing the opening parameter from fully open to partially open with controlled gaps, the system can optimize between filling speed and pattern precision depending on the specific production requirement.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a dosing apparatus for dosing bulk material into block forming elements, and for arrangement on a filling car of a filling apparatus of a block-making machine for manufacturing patterned blocks, in particular paving blocks. The filling car may be pushed forward and backward over block forming elements in a displacement direction, and a first bulk material component may be filled into the block forming elements with this car. The dosing apparatus comprises at least one filling box that has a lower outlet that may be opened and closed by means of a closure. A second bulk material component may be filled from the filling box into the block forming elements via the lower outlet.