Solid Colorant Dispensing Unit Volumetric Dosing Accuracy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solid colorant dispensing units face challenges with gravimetric dosing, including delicacy, complexity, cost, and inefficiency, especially when dealing with small or large amounts of solid colorant particles, and volumetric dosing methods like US 2017/0051151 A1 do not achieve the same dosing accuracy as gravimetric methods.
Innovation Solution
A solid colorant dispensing unit that uses a supply container with a nozzle and a control assembly to dispense solid spherical colorant particles in a time-controlled, volumetric manner, leveraging a narrow particle size distribution and a solenoid with a spring-loaded plunger for accurate and efficient dispensing, allowing simultaneous dosing of multiple particles without the need for scales or intermediate measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If gravimetric dosing is used to dispense solid colorant particles, then dosing accuracy is improved, but device complexity and operation delicacy increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical gravimetric dosing system (scales, weighing mechanisms) with a volumetric dosing system using a hopper, vibratory mechanism, and controlled discharge aperture. This substitution eliminates the need for complex weighing hardware while achieving accurate dosing through volume control and particle flow management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the dosing parameter from mass-based (gravimetric) to volume-based (volumetric). By controlling the volume of colorant particles discharged through a calibrated aperture and using vibratory mechanisms to ensure consistent flow, the system achieves accurate dosing without requiring scale-based mass measurement.
2Measurement precision
If gravimetric dosing is used for multiple solid colorants, then dosing accuracy is improved, but productivity decreases due to sequential dosing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the dosing system into separate hoppers for each colorant type, each with its own vibratory mechanism and discharge control. This segmentation allows multiple colorants to be dosed simultaneously or in rapid succession, improving productivity while maintaining accuracy through individual control of each colorant's discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibratory mechanisms enable continuous or near-continuous flow of colorant particles from multiple hoppers simultaneously. This eliminates the stop-start nature of sequential gravimetric dosing, allowing multiple colorants to be dispensed in a continuous operation, thereby significantly improving productivity.
3Measurement precision
If gravimetric dosing is used for large amounts of solid colorants, then dosing accuracy is improved, but loss of time increases due to multiple weighing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The hoppers are pre-filled with large quantities of colorant particles before the dosing process begins. This preliminary action eliminates the need for repeated weighing and refilling operations during the dosing process, allowing large amounts of colorant to be dispensed continuously without time loss from multiple weighing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous colorant flow from pre-filled hoppers through vibratory mechanisms and controlled apertures. This continuous operation eliminates the intermittent stoppages required in gravimetric dosing for reweighing and refilling, significantly reducing time loss when dosing large amounts of colorant.
4Device complexity
If volumetric dosing with plunger mechanism is used, then device complexity is reduced, but dosing accuracy deteriorates compared to gravimetric methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates vibratory mechanisms to agitate the colorant particles in the hoppers and during discharge. This vibration ensures consistent, uniform particle flow and prevents bridging or arching effects that could cause dosing variability. The vibratory action maintains dosing accuracy comparable to gravimetric methods while preserving the simplicity of volumetric dosing hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates control mechanisms that monitor and adjust the vibratory frequency and discharge aperture control based on actual colorant flow rates. This feedback ensures consistent dosing accuracy by compensating for variations in particle flow, maintaining precision comparable to gravimetric methods while using simpler volumetric hardware.
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
The solution enables more efficient, accurate, and cost-effective dispensing of solid colorant particles, reducing the complexity and delicacy of the process while maintaining or improving dosing accuracy compared to traditional methods, allowing for direct dosing into paint containers without weight limitations.
Implementation Method 1
the control assembly comprises a solenoid (9) comprising a spring-loaded plunger (10)
Implementation Method 2
the control assembly comprises a solenoid (9) comprising a spring-loaded plunger (10)
Implementation Method 3
By moving the plunger upwards, the dosing of the solid colorant particles through the opening under the influence of gravity is started
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5C
AI summary
The invention relates to asolid colorant dispensing unit (1) for dispensing charges of solid spherical colorant particles (2) in a time-controlled way, said dispensing unit comprising a supply container (3) having a nozzle (5) for dispensing said particles having a number average particle size and a number particle size distribution, wherein a ratio of the standard deviation of the number particle size distribution to the number average particle size of said particles is less than 25%. The nozzle comprising a dispensing outlet (6) having a diameter (7) taking into account the number average particle size of said particles. Said dispensing unit comprising a control assembly (8) for controlling the dispensing of said charges of said particles by taking into account said properties of said particles and the diameter of the outlet of the nozzle. The invention also relates to a tinting machine (29) comprising said solid colorant dispensing unit.