Vacuum Coupling Isolation for Accurate Plastics Conveying Weighing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveying devices for plastics often experience weighing inaccuracies due to forces transmitted through vacuum and conveying lines, affecting the gravimetric throughput logging of materials like granules, powder, and flakes.
Innovation Solution
The design features couplings with non-contacting coupling parts and a sealing element to isolate the weighing cell from these forces, ensuring reliable sealing and minimal interference with the weighing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the coupling parts are made to contact each other to ensure structural stability and reliable connection, then the connection reliability is improved, but forces from the vacuum line and conveying line are transmitted to the separating unit, worsening the weighing precision
Solution Approach 1:
A sealing element is introduced as an intermediary component between the two coupling parts. This sealing element provides the necessary connection and sealing function while preventing force transmission from the vacuum line and conveying line to the separating unit, thus maintaining weighing precision while ensuring connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling is divided into two separate coupling parts that do not directly contact each other. This segmentation isolates the force transmission path, preventing forces from affecting the weighing cell while maintaining the functional connection through the sealing element
2Measurement precision
If the two coupling parts are separated to prevent force transmission, then the weighing precision is improved, but the sealing reliability may deteriorate due to the gap between coupling parts
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element serves as a mediator that bridges the gap between the two separated coupling parts. It provides both sealing functionality and force isolation, ensuring that the gap does not compromise sealing reliability while maintaining weighing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is made from elastomeric material that can deform flexibly to ensure reliable sealing between the coupling parts while maintaining the force isolation necessary for precise weighing
3Strength
If rigid coupling parts are used to ensure structural stability, then the structural strength is improved, but the sealing capability may worsen due to lack of flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system combines rigid coupling parts for structural strength with a flexible sealing element for sealing capability. Each component has optimized local properties: the coupling parts provide mechanical strength while the sealing element provides flexibility and sealing action
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system uses a composite structure combining rigid materials for the coupling parts and elastomeric materials for the sealing element, leveraging the advantages of both material types to achieve both structural strength and sealing capability
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
This configuration maintains weighing accuracy by preventing force transmission from the vacuum and conveying lines to the weighing cell, ensuring precise gravimetric logging and reliable material conveyance.
Implementation Method 1
a connection to at least one vacuum line
Data Source
AI summary
A conveying device for use in the field of plastics has a frame and a weighing cell connected to the frame. A separating unit is suspended from the weighing cell. A first coupling is connected to the frame and connects a vacuum source to the separating unit. A second coupling is connected to the frame and connects a conveying line for goods to be conveyed to the separating unit. At least one of the first coupling and the second coupling has a first coupling part connected to the separating unit and a second coupling part connected to the frame, wherein the first and the second coupling parts do not contact each other in a region of no contact. At least one sealing element is provided to seal the region of no contact between the first and the second coupling parts.