EP4705728A1

EP4705728A1 - Dosing device with a quick-release scoop

Info

Publication number: EP4705728A1
Application number: EP23951644.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Irfan SAHIN; Engin REYHAN
Original assignee: Eliar Elektronik Sanayi AS
Current assignee: Eliar Elektronik Sanayi AS
Priority date: 2023-05-04
Filing date: 2023-05-04
Publication date: 2026-03-11
Also published as: WO2025053800A1; WO2025053801A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a dosing device consisting of a torque transmission apparatus (40) with a torque shaft (42) connected to a drive mechanism (30) that generates torque, where the torque shaft (42) is rotatably mounted along an extension axis (x) in a shaft bearing (44); a scoop mechanism (20) with a scoop element (24) that is rotated along the extension axis by the front end of the torque shaft (42), and a dosing device wherein a load cell (50) adapted to measure the weight in the scoop mechanism (20). The dosing device includes a detachable connection shaft (26) that is coaxially coupled to the corresponding front end of the torque shaft (42) at one end, fixed to the scoop element (22) at the other end, and transmits torque to rotate the scoop element (22).

Description

DOSING DEVICE WITH A QUICK-RELEASE SCOOP

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a dosing device with a dosing scoop, specifically for the gravimetric feeding of powder-like products into processing devices.

STATE OF THE ART

A dosing device with a gravimetric feeding scoop is a precise and effective system that facilitates the mixing of raw materials or components in predetermined ratios in industrial processes. These systems control the flow of materials based on the principle of gravity and typically measure the real-time weight of materials in conjunction with weighing sensors or load cells. Thus, gravimetric feeding scoops provide a continuous and stable flow, offering high levels of accuracy and repeatability in production processes. They are widely used in various sectors such as plastics, food, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, offering advantages like cost savings, improved product quality, and reduced waste.

Gravimetric feeding devices consist of a series of components that work together to ensure the correct proportion of material flow. These components include hoppers where materials are stored and incorporated into the feeding process, precise weighing systems that continuously measure the amount of material in the hoppers, and feeding mechanisms used to adjust the flow rate of materials.

The operating principle of gravimetric feeding devices involves managing material flow through a combination of gravity and weighing systems. During operation, the weight of the material in the hopper is continuously measured by the weighing system. The obtained weight value is compared with a predetermined target value, and the feeding mechanism adjusts the material flow rate to reach the target value. This process is crucial for maintaining continuous and stable material flow and achieving high levels of accuracy and repeatability in production processes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to provide an integrated dosing device that measures the weight of loads during transportation and weighing operations accurately and precisely.

In order to achieve the above objective, the invention comprises a dosing device with a torque shaft connected to a drive mechanism that generates torque, and a shaft bearing where the torque shaft is rotatably mounted along an extension axis; a scoop mechanism having a scoop element that is rotated along the extension axis by the front end of the torque shaft, and a dosing device wherein a load cell adapted to measure the weight in the scoop mechanism, including a detachable connection shaft that is coaxially coupled to the corresponding front end of the torque shaft at one end, fixed to the scoop element at the other end, and transmits torque to rotate the scoop element. Thanks to the torque transmission apparatus's detachable connection shaft, users can easily make modifications to the system and perform maintenance quickly. Various forms of coupling or different connectors can be used for the connection of the torque shaft to the connection shaft, such as flange connections, slip joints, nested shaft connections, locking shaft connections, magnetic couplings, or flexible couplings.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connection shaft extends in a manner that is directly and only supported by the torque shaft during rotation. Since no additional support elements or components are needed, it has been possible to reduce the total weight and dimensions of the system, thereby providing a lighter and more compact structure.

In another preferred embodiment, the torque transmission apparatus contains a hammer element that radially extends outward relative to the torque shaft, limiting the rotation angle of the torque shaft, and a stop bearing that has a stop wall on which the hammer element rests at a limit angle. The stop bearing and hammer element that limit the rotation angle of the torque shaft create a radial stop, providing angularly controlled movement, prevention of excessive rotation, and system safety. With the advantage of precise positioning, it offers a more durable system by reducing wear and tear.

In a further preferred embodiment, the hammer element is integrated into a structure with a ring that is adapted to the drive mechanism and rotates along the extension axis of the torque shaft. The integrated hammer element and ring provide benefits with their simplified design, increased reliability, lightweight structure, and precise motion control. In another preferred embodiment, the hammer element is adapted to the rear end of the torque shaft. Adapting the hammer element to the rear end of the torque shaft offers a simpler and more compact design, reducing the equipment's weight and size. This structure facilitates assembly and maintenance processes while reducing the number of components and potential failure points, thereby enhancing system reliability.

In another preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a magnetic connection element that is magnetically coupled with the hammer element and adapted to the stop bearing. The magnetic connection provides temporary locking by preventing backward movement of the hammer element during impact against the stop bearing.

In a preferred configuration of the invention, the drive mechanism includes a piston adjusted to generate torque and a piston bearing aligned with the torque shaft along the extension axis. This design provides more precise and controlled torque application, thereby enhancing system performance and efficiency. The use of the piston and piston bearing offers smoother and continuous motion, reducing vibrations and noise, which improves user comfort and equipment life. Additionally, this configuration allows for more environmentally friendly operation with lower energy consumption and less heat production.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a thrust piston that is linearly guided on the shaft bearing and applies force to the scoop element from one end. The thrust piston facilitates the discharge of the dosed product remaining and sticking inside the scoop. The linear guidance of the thrust piston ensures precise and controlled impact application, making the processes more effective and efficient.

In a preferred embodiment, the load cell is aligned under the front end of the torque shaft. This positioning provides more direct and accurate force measurement to the load cell, thereby more accurately measuring the weight of the load and the stress on the torque shaft.

In another preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a casing that encircles the drive mechanism and torque transmission apparatus. The casing has an opening in the front wall through which the connection shaft passes. This configuration protects the equipment from external elements, making it more durable and robust. The opening in the front wall of the casing facilitates the passage of the connection shaft and supports the smooth operation of the system while also helping to protect the components.

In another preferred configuration, the connection shaft has a protrusion at its rear end. This protrusion passes through and transmits torque to a notch at the front end of the torque shaft. This feature allows the scoop to be pulled and detached from the torque shaft along the extension axis. Additionally, the combination of the protrusion and notch enables quick and easy assembly and disassembly of the connection shaft and torque shaft, simplifying maintenance processes and saving time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a representative configuration of the dosing device of the invention with the scoop in the upper position.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the dosing device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a representative configuration of the dosing device of the invention with the top part of the casing removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the subject matter of the invention is described with references to examples solely for better understanding without any limitations.

In Figure 1 , the gravimetric dosing and dosing device is shown in a perspective view with a scoop mechanism (20) extending from the front wall (12) of a casing (10), where the scoop element (22) is in a filling position facing upwards. A hole (16) is made in the flat front wall (12) of the box-like casing (10) formed by joining flat panels. A connection shaft (26) extends outward from the front end through this hole (16). The connection shaft (26) extends perpendicular from the front wall (12) along a horizontal extension axis (x). The connection shaft (26) is fixed at its front end to the scoop element (22). Opposite and flange-like legs (14) extend outward from the lower edge of the casing (10) in a flat panel structure. These legs (14) have holes for mounting on a platform. The scoop element (22), when in a filling position, is a hollow hemisphere-like form with a circular mouth facing upwards. In a discharge position, the mouth of the scoop (20) rotates up to a 90-degree limit angle (a) to dump the measured product, such as a chemical in powder form, by its own weight. Above the hole (16) on the front wall (12), there is a thrust piston (70) extending parallel to the connection shaft (26). The thrust piston (70) is adjusted to apply an impact to the scoop mechanism (20) from its outer periphery in the direction of linear progression.

In Figure 2, the same dosing device is shown in cross-section with the scoop mechanism (20) in the filling position. The drive mechanism (30) consists of a rotary piston structure, a piston bearing (34), and this houses the rotary piston (32). The piston bearing (34) mounts the piston (32) aligned along the extension axis (x). The piston (32) is adjustable to rotate in both directions along the extension axis (x). The front end of the piston (32) engages with the torque transmission apparatus (40) to transmit torque from the rear end of the torque shaft (42). The torque shaft (42) is an extending shaft along the extension axis (x). The front end of the torque shaft (42) passes through the rear end of the connection shaft (26) by a shape coupling. The torque shaft (42) is rotatably mounted on bearings at both ends within a shaft bearing (44). The shaft bearing (44) is fixed on a slide (60) within the casing (10). The slide (60) elevates the shaft bearing (44) on a base plate of the casing (10) aligned with the extension axis (x).

At the end of the piston (32), a hammer element (46) with a radial arm extending from a ring is rotatably mounted. The hammer element (46) limits the rotational movement of the piston (32) to a limit angle. For this purpose, planar stop bearings (48) are placed adjacent to the hammer element (46) at the ends of the 180-degree limit angle (a) swept by the arm of the hammer element. When the piston (32) rotates in one direction, it rotates the hammer element (46), and the arm continues to rotate until it hits the corresponding stop bearing (48). When the arm of the hammer element (46) contacts the stop bearing (48), it blocks further rotation. Therefore, the piston (32) is then only free to rotate in the opposite direction. A magnetic connection element (47) with a magnet is fixed on the stop bearing (45). The hammer element (46) is made from ferromagnetic material. When the arm of the hammer element (46) reaches the stop bearing (45), the corresponding face of the arm magnetically adheres to the magnetic connection element (47). This magnetic force prevents the arm from moving back due to momentum when it hits the stop bearing (45) due to radial speed. Under the front end of the torque shaft (42) on the slide (60), a load cell (50) is placed. The load cell (50) measures the weight of the load caused by the stress applied to the torque shaft (42) via the connection shaft (26), which is directly supported. The load cell (50) extends perpendicularly from the base plate of the casing (10). A carrier element (24), connected to the scoop element (22), is mounted between the scoop element (22) and the front wall (12). The carrier element (24) is a metal plate structure and is mounted fixedly from the upper part of the vertically extending connection shaft (26). A protrusion extends along the rear end of the connection shaft (26). This protrusion passes through a corresponding notch in the front end of the torque shaft (42) to transmit torque. Since the connection shaft (26) is only supported by the torque shaft (42) along the extension axis (x), it can be easily pulled out and removed in situations where disassembly is required. In this case, the protrusion at the front end of the connection shaft (26) exits from the slot-shaped notch without any obstruction. The connection shaft (26) is removed by pulling through the hole (16), and the scoop mechanism (20) mounted at the front end is also removed with it.

Above the connection shaft (26), a thrust piston (70) extends parallel along the upper part, passing through a corresponding hole in the front wall (12) and extending to reach the scoop element (22) from its front end (72) with the piston progression movement. The drive part (74) of the thrust piston (70) is mounted on the shaft bearing (44).

In Figure 3, the dosing device is shown in perspective with the casing (10) removed. The diameter of the hole (16) on the front wall (12) is set wider than the diameter of the connection shaft (26), allowing the connection shaft (26) to rotate without touching the front wall (12). The dosing device is operated by being fixed through its legs (14), for example, to a chemical component feeding machine. In the filling position, for example, powdered material is filled into the scoop element (22) from its mouth. The stress caused by the additional load coming to the scoop element (22) via the connection shaft (26) is read through displacement by the load cell (50) and the weighing is performed, and the weighing information is transmitted to a main controller (not shown) as an electrical signal. When a position change approval comes from the controller, for example, when the load cell displays a predetermined weight value, the drive mechanism (30) is operated. At this time, the hammer element (46) is connected to the stop bearing (48) with the magnetic connection element (47). The piston (32) applies a reverse torque overcoming the magnetic force to separate the hammer element (46) from the corresponding stop bearing (48). The torque of the piston (32) rotates the torque shaft (42) along the extension axis (x) inside the shaft bearing (44) with the help of bearings. Thus, the torque shaft (42) transmits torque from its front end to the rear end of the connection shaft (26), and in this way, the scoop mechanism (20) is rotated 180 degrees towards the discharge position by the torque transmitted by the torque shaft (42) to the shaft bearing (44). In this manner, the material filled and weighed inside the scoop element (22) is dumped by gravity. Electrostatic forces, moisture, or other weak bonds cause material sticking to the inner wall of the scoop element (22) to be dislodged and discharged by vibration when the thrust piston (70) is activated in the discharge position, applying an impact from its front end (72) to the outer periphery of the scoop element (22). At this time, the hammer element (46) rests on the opposite stop bearing (48) to guarantee stopping at the limit angle (a). The stop bearing (45) is mounted on the slide (60) in a T-like bearing structure and extends symmetrically along the extension axis (x).

REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 Casing 40 Torque transmission apparatus

12 Front wall 42 Torque shaft

14 Legs 44 Shaft bearing

16 Hole 45 Stop wall

20 Scoop mechanism 46 Hammer element

22 Scoop element 47 Magnetic connection element

24 Carrier element 48 Stop bearing

26 Connection shaft 50 Load cell

30 Drive mechanism 60 Slide

32 Piston 70 Thrust piston

34 Piston bearing 72 Front end x Extension axis 74 Drive part a Limit angle

Claims

1- A dosing device comprising a torque shaft (42) connected to a drive mechanism (30) that generates torque, and a shaft bearing (44) where the torque shaft (42) is rotatably mounted along an extension axis (x); a scoop mechanism (20) having a scoop element (24) that is rotated along the extension axis by the front end of the torque shaft (42), and a load cell (50) adapted to measure the weight in the scoop mechanism (20), characterized in that a detachable connection shaft (26) is coaxially coupled to the corresponding front end of the torque shaft (42) at one end, fixed to the scoop element (22) at the other end, and transmits torque to rotate the scoop element (22).

2- A dosing device according to claim 1 , wherein the connection shaft (26) extends in a manner directly and solely supported by the torque shaft (42) during rotation.

3- A dosing device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein including a hammer element (46) that radially extends outward relative to the torque shaft (42) of the torque transmission mechanism (40), limiting the rotation angle of the torque shaft (42), and a stop bearing (48) that has a stop wall (45) on which the hammer element rests at a limit angle (a).

4- A dosing device according to claim 3, wherein the hammer element (46) is integrated into a structure with a ring that adapts to the drive mechanism (30) and rotates along the extension axis (x) of the torque shaft (42).

5- A dosing device according to claims 3-4, wherein the hammer element (46) is adapted to the rear end of the torque shaft (42).

6- A dosing device according to claims 3-5, wherein containing a magnetic connection element (47) that is magnetically coupled to the hammer element (46) and adapted to the stop bearing (45).

7- A dosing device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein containing a piston (32) set to generate torque in the drive mechanism (30), and a piston bearing (34) aligned along the extension axis (x) with the torque shaft (42). 8- A dosing device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein containing a thrust piston (70) that is linearly guided on the shaft bearing (44) and applies force to the scoop element (22) from one end.

9- A dosing device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the load cell (50) is aligned under the front end of the torque shaft (42).

10- A dosing device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein containing a casing (10) that is adjusted to encircle the drive mechanism (30) and the torque transmission mechanism (40), and has an opening (16) through which the connection shaft (26) passes in a front wall (12).

11- A dosing device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein containing a protrusion at the rear end of the connection shaft (26) that passes through and transmits torque to a notch at the front end of the torque shaft (42).