Timing Hopper with Offset Side Wall Interconnections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large articles, such as block chocolate, often get stuck inside timing hoppers due to contact with each other at the point where the side wall angles change, preventing normal discharge.
Innovation Solution
A timing hopper design featuring a tubular structure with interconnected members and a gate system, where the side walls' angles and interconnection heights differ, and the second opening's dimensions increase downward, preventing articles from getting stuck by ensuring a sufficient distance between changing angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional timing hopper with uniform side walls is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but large articles get stuck inside the hopper at the point where side wall angles change
Solution Approach 1:
The timing hopper is divided into two distinct sections: an upper conical section and a lower cylindrical section. This segmentation allows each section to serve its specific function - the conical section facilitates article entry and initial discharge while the cylindrical section provides controlled discharge timing, preventing articles from getting stuck at angle changes.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the hopper have different geometric properties - the upper section has a conical shape with varying radius to guide articles smoothly, while the lower section has a cylindrical shape with constant radius for controlled discharge. This local differentiation of geometric quality prevents articles from getting stuck while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
2Ease of manufacture
If the side wall angle changes abruptly in a conventional timing hopper, then the structure is simpler, but articles get caught and stuck inside the hopper
Solution Approach 1:
The upper section of the timing hopper采用 a conical shape with a smooth, continuous curved surface instead of abrupt angular changes. This curvature allows articles to slide down smoothly without getting caught at sharp angles, while the transition to the cylindrical lower section is designed to be seamless, maintaining manufacturing feasibility while preventing article sticking.
3Reliability
If a single cylindrical section is used in the timing hopper, then the structure is simpler, but articles cannot be discharged at a predetermined timing reliably
Solution Approach 1:
The timing hopper is segmented into an upper conical section and a lower cylindrical section, where the cylindrical section is equipped with a discharge gate. This segmentation enables the hopper to hold articles in the cylindrical section and release them at predetermined timing through the controlled opening and closing of the gate, achieving reliable timing discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge gate in the cylindrical section is designed to be movable, allowing it to open and close dynamically based on timing requirements. This dynamic capability enables the hopper to hold articles and release them at predetermined moments, achieving reliable timing control while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
<Problem> It is an object of the present invention to provide a timing hopper that inhibits the occurrence of the problem that articles end up getting stuck inside the timing hopper and are not normally discharged. <Solution> A timing hopper 9 includes a first member 91, a second member 92, and a gate 9a. The first member 91 has a first opening 91a to which articles A are input. The second member 92 has a second opening 92a from which the articles A are discharged. The gate 9a opens and closes the second opening 92a. The first member 91 has a first side wall 91b and a second side wall 91c. The second side wall 91c opposes the first side wall 91b. The second member 92 has a third side wall 92b and a fourth side wall 92c. The third side wall 92b is continuously connected to the first side wall 91b. The fourth side wall 92c opposes the third side wall 92b and is continuously connected to the second side wall 91c. The height position where the first side wall 91b and the third side wall 92b are interconnected is different from the height position where the second side wall 91c and the fourth side wall 92c are interconnected.