Spiraling Frustoconical Dispenser for Size Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing devices are unable to reliably dispense individual items from a large supply, especially when the items vary in size, and fail to sort and deliver single units of a specific size while rejecting larger or smaller items.
Innovation Solution
A frustoconical dispensing device with a spiraling race that communicates individual items to a dispensing end, allowing for size-based sorting and sequential dispensing by adjusting the rotational speed and configuration, enabling the reliable delivery of individual units from heterogeneous or homogeneous supplies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional dispensing devices are used to dispense individual items from a large supply, then the device structure is simple, but the device fails to reliably dispense single items and cannot sort items by size
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing device is divided into distinct functional zones within the rotating housing: a receiving zone for accepting items from the supply, a transport zone with the spiraling race for moving and sorting items, and a dispensing zone for releasing individual items. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function efficiently, enabling reliable single-item dispensing through coordinated rotation of the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is designed to rotate dynamically, transforming the static dispensing problem into a dynamic solution. The rotation speed and direction can be controlled to adjust the dispensing rate and sorting effectiveness. The spiraling race within the rotating housing creates dynamic forces that separate items by size and guide them to the dispensing location, enabling both sorting and reliable single-item delivery.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional dispensing devices are used, then the device is simple to operate, but the device cannot sort items of varying sizes to deliver specific size ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The device utilizes changes in rotational speed as a controllable parameter to achieve size-based sorting. By adjusting the rotation speed of the housing, the centrifugal forces and Coriolis effects within the spiraling race change, causing items of different sizes to separate into different zones. This allows the device to sort and deliver specific size ranges from heterogeneous supplies by simply changing the operational parameter of rotation speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The spiraling race acts as an intermediary mechanism between the item supply and the dispensing location. As items move through the rotating housing along the spiraling path, the race geometry and rotation create separating forces that mediate the sorting process. Items are gradually separated by size as they traverse the intermediate transport zone, with smaller items following different trajectories than larger items, ultimately delivering sorted items to the dispensing point.
3Reliability
If a device sorts and dispenses individual items from heterogeneous supplies, then dispensing reliability improves, but the device complexity increases due to sorting mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges the sorting function and the dispensing function into a single integrated rotating housing structure. The same rotational motion that drives the sorting process also controls the dispensing timing and location. The spiraling race simultaneously performs item transport, size-based separation, and positioning for dispensing. This merging eliminates the need for separate sorting mechanisms and dispensing mechanisms, achieving reliable sequential delivery while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
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 device effectively sorts and dispenses individual items of a determined size from a supply, ensuring reliable sequential delivery and rejection of unwanted sizes, applicable for various dispensing tasks beyond pet food.
Implementation Method 1
the race on the interior cavity which is in communication with the supply of individual objects to be dispensed within the wider end of the interior cavity, through a frictional engagement with individual pieces or objects, will transport respective individual objects or pieces upward within the interior cavity along the spiral race
Data Source
AI summary
A device for sequentially dispensing individual objects includes a housing having a first housing portion which is conically-shaped. The first housing portion has a first end proximate a supply of objects and a second end proximate a location where the objects are to be dispensed. There is a spiral race, disposed on an interior surface of the first housing portion and extending from the first end to the second end of the first housing portion, along which the objects to be dispensed travel.