MÁQUINA INDUSTRIAL DE MOAGEM DE SEMENTES E CONJUNTO ADAPTADO PARA UMA MÁQUINA INDUSTRIAL DE MOAGEM DE SEMENTES
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- BR · BR
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- BUEHLER (INDIA) PVT LTD
- Filing Date
- 2023-03-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-04
Smart Images
Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Abstract
Description
1 / 18 INDUSTRIAL SEED GRINDING MACHINE AND ADAPTED ASSEMBLY FOR AN INDUSTRIAL SEED GRINDING MACHINE
[0001] The invention relates to an industrial seed grinding machine, as well as an adapted assembly for an industrial seed grinding machine.
[0002] In the state of the art, industrial seed milling machines are known for different purposes. For example, a seed milling machine is used to whiten rice by removing the outer layer of the rice, which is called cereal bran. Therefore, cereal bran corresponds to milling residues in the milling process. These seed milling machines are also called rice whiteners, as cereal bran typically has a darker color compared to the rice grain, so the rice is whitened once the cereal bran has been removed. In fact, it is necessary to remove the cereal bran, as cereal bran contains vitamins, minerals, and oils that drastically reduce the shelf life of rice if not removed.
[0003] Industrial seed grinding machines typically rely on an abrasive mechanism to remove grinding residues, for example, cereal bran.
[0004] Industrial seed grinding machines typically comprise a rotor with an external grinding side, for example, a stone, as well as a sieving unit for sifting the ground seed and grinding residues. The seed to be ground is placed between the rotor and the sieving unit so that the seed is ground in an abrasive manner. Consequently, three different types of abrasion occur, namely, abrasion due to seed-to-seed contact, contact of the seed with the grinding side of the rotor and / or contact of the seed with the sieving unit.
[0005] If rice is milled using industrial seed milling machines, the cereal bran is removed mechanically, being Petition 870250081640, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 39 / 66 2 / 18 that the removed cereal bran is conveyed through slots or, alternatively, openings within the sieving unit, so that the milled seed, i.e., the bleached rice, is sifted. Temporarily, the bleached rice remains between the rotor and the sieving unit, while the milling residues, i.e., the cereal bran, are discharged through the sieving unit.
[0006] During the grinding process, the screening unit, particularly the openings and / or slots, frequently becomes clogged due to the accumulation of grinding residues, which reduces the overall efficiency of the industrial seed grinding machine, since frequent manual cleaning is required to remove the accumulated grinding residues. Efficiency is further reduced because the seed grinding machine must be stopped for cleaning purposes, which is also called machine downtime, in order to allow for cleaning of the screening unit.
[0007] Consequently, there is a need to increase the machine's performance, particularly its efficiency.
[0008] The invention provides an industrial seed grinding machine comprising an input unit configured to receive a seed to be ground, for example, rice. The industrial seed grinding machine also comprises a processing unit configured to grind the seed, thus generating a ground seed. In addition, the industrial seed grinding machine has an output unit configured to release the ground seed, i.e., the seed previously processed by the processing unit. The processing unit is disposed between the input unit and the output unit, the processing unit comprising a rotor with an external grinding side and a cylindrical sieving unit encompassing the rotor. The sieving unit has an inner side and an outer side with an external surface. The inner side and the grinding side of the rotor are opposite each other so that an annular grinding region is formed. Petition 870250081640, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 40 / 66 3 / 18 formed between the screening unit and the rotor. The processing unit further comprises a housing that encompasses the rotor and the screening unit so that the rotor and the screening unit are protected from the environment by the housing. The processing unit has at least one automatic cleaning unit comprising at least one cleaning element which, in an operating mode of the seed grinding machine, is in contact with the screening unit, particularly the outer surface of the screening unit. The at least one cleaning element is configured to move relative to the screening unit, thus automatically removing grinding residues from the screening unit, particularly the outer surface of the screening unit.
[0009] The main idea of the invention is to automatically clean the sieving unit during the operation of the seed grinding machine, so that the machine's idle times can be reduced (significantly), thus increasing the overall performance of the seed grinding machine, i.e., its efficiency. At least one automatic cleaning unit ensures that the sieving unit, particularly the outer surface of the sieving unit, is continuously cleaned by means of at least one cleaning element that is in contact with the sieving unit, particularly its outer surface. Therefore, the seed grinding machine does not need to be stopped for cleaning purposes as frequently as is done in the prior art. Currently, the seed grinding machine must be stopped every four to six hours for manual cleaning.In other words, the idle times (for maintenance) of the seed grinding machine are reduced and / or the operating times of the seed grinding machine are increased, thus increasing the overall productivity of the seed grinding machine. As indicated above, cleaning is done automatically during the operation of the seed grinding machine, so costs can be further reduced. Petition 870250081640, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 41 / 66 4 / 18
[0010] Furthermore, the service life of the screening unit is increased due to the fact that the screening unit is continuously maintained in a clean state.
[0011] One aspect provides that at least one cleaning element is selected from the group consisting of a miter curtain, cloth, feather duster, brush, and combinations thereof. In particular, the external automatic removal of grinding residues is based on at least one dry cleaning technique that is selected from the group consisting of scrubbing, brushing, polishing, sweeping, and combinations thereof. Therefore, mechanical removal of grinding residues occurs, and the cleaning element can be selected depending on the type of seed to be ground, particularly the characteristics of the grinding residues. In the case of rice to be ground, a brush can be used to remove the grinding residues, i.e., the cereal bran.In the case of other seeds to be ground by the industrial seed grinding machine, a different type of cleaning element may be used, for example, a cloth or a feather duster.
[0012] In a specific embodiment, at least one cleaning element is a brush comprising a cylindrical longitudinal rod body on which a plurality of bristles are arranged. In particular, the rod body, in the operating mode of the seed grinding machine, is aligned parallel to a rotor axis of rotation. Therefore, the bristles of the brush, particularly its tips, are in contact with the sieving unit to remove the grinding residues accumulated in the sieving unit. In fact, the tips of the bristles brush along the respective surface of the sieving unit, particularly the outer surface of the sieving unit, in order to remove any grinding residues that have accumulated due to seed processing.
[0013] As indicated above, the automatic cleaning unit mechanically cleans the screening unit by removing accumulated grinding residues. Petition 870250081640, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 42 / 66 5 / 18
[0014] The (substantially) parallel alignment of the rod body with respect to the rotor's axis of rotation ensures that (almost) all the brush bristles are in contact with the respective surface of the screening unit, thus maximizing the cleaning area, i.e., the area of the screening unit that is mechanically cleaned.
[0015] Another aspect provides that, in the operating mode of the seed grinding machine, autorotation of at least one brush is driven exclusively by frictional contact between the brush and the sieving unit, particularly the outer surface of the sieving unit. Thus, the brush itself is not driven to rotate around its own axis of rotation. In fact, autorotation is induced due to frictional contact between the brush and the respective surface of the sieving unit, which is brushed by means of the brush. Autorotation ensures that the bristles are worn homogeneously, as all bristles are in contact with their respective surface due to autorotation. Therefore, the service life of the brush can be maximized, which extends the service life of the automatic cleaning unit in total. In other words, the idle times of the automatic cleaning unit can be reduced or minimized.
[0016] In addition, the cleaning unit may comprise a rack with a horizontal base, the brush being freely rotatable and suspended on the rack, thus allowing the brush to act as a cylinder brush. The autorotation is enabled by the fact that the brush is freely rotatable and suspended on the rack, which is particularly articulated. Furthermore, the rack stabilizes the alignment of the brush with respect to the screening unit.
[0017] For example, the rack comprises a vertical crossbar extending vertically from the horizontal base or a horizontal crossbar mounted between two parallel bars extending vertically from the horizontal base. The rod body is freely rotatable and suspended from the respective crossbar, i.e., the vertical crossbar or the horizontal bar. Petition 870250081640, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 43 / 66 6 / 18 horizontal cross-section. Therefore, a mechanically stable brush assembly is ensured. Furthermore, the respective arrangement ensures that the brush is enabled to self-align with respect to the surface of the screening unit to be cleaned, for example, the outer surface.
[0018] In a simple embodiment, the brush is mounted on the vertically extending crossbar (vertical crossbar) which is (substantially) aligned parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor and / or the axis of symmetry of the screening unit.
[0019] In a more sophisticated embodiment, the rack comprises a horizontally extending crossbar (horizontal crossbar) that is mounted between two parallel bars extending vertically from the horizontal base. The horizontal crossbar is rotatably articulated by means of a hinge mechanism so that the horizontal crossbar can rotate around its own geometric axis. The rod body is fixed to the horizontal crossbar, but freely rotatable and suspended, since the horizontal crossbar is rotatably articulated. The brush rod body usually extends in a vertical direction, for example, perpendicular to the extension direction of the horizontal crossbar.The hinge mechanism ensures that the brush can automatically adapt its alignment relative to the surface of the screening unit to be cleaned, thus establishing an automatic alignment or, alternatively, a self-alignment of the brush relative to the screening unit.
[0020] In another aspect, the rack is coupled to a drive unit which, in the operating mode of the seed grinding machine, is configured to repeatedly rotate the brush along the sieving unit, particularly along the outside of the sieving unit. The drive unit drives the entire rack so that the brush together with the rack is moved along the sieving unit. Petition 870250081640, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 44 / 66 7 / 18
[0021] As mentioned above, a rotation around the axis of symmetry of the brush is not driven by the drive unit, but only by a movement of the brush around the screening unit, particularly the outer side of the screening unit.
[0022] The drive unit may comprise a ring gear to which the rack is coupled, the ring gear being rotatably mounted. The rack is fixed to the ring gear which is driven by the drive unit so that the ring gear is enabled to rotate around its axis of rotation which may coincide with the axis of symmetry of the screening unit and / or the axis of rotation of the rotor.
[0023] In general, the rotor, screening unit and / or ring gear can be set up in a symmetrical rotation. The rotor, screening unit and ring gear can be located in a coaxial manner. Therefore, the axes of symmetry can coincide with each other.
[0024] The drive unit may further comprise a motor and a drive gear that is driven by the motor. The drive gear is engaged with a ring gear to rotate the ring gear. Therefore, the motor drives the drive gear which may be connected to a motor shaft. The drive gear drives the ring gear which is rotatably mounted so that the ring gear rotates around its axis of rotation, thereby rotating the rack fixedly coupled to the ring gear and the brush fixedly coupled to the rack along the screening unit, particularly the outer side of the screening unit. Consequently, the outer surface of the screening unit is cleaned.
[0025] In particular, the rack is coupled to the ring gear by means of an alignment mechanism for at least one brush. The alignment mechanism may comprise the respective crossbar to which the brush is mounted, for example, the horizontal crossbar mounted between two parallel bars extending vertically from the horizontal base. Furthermore, the Petition 870250081640, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, p. 45 / 66 The 8 / 18 alignment mechanism may also include an additional hinge located between the horizontal base and the ring gear.
[0026] Therefore, a simple alignment mechanism is established, particularly for the embodiment comprising the vertical crossbar to which the brush rod body is freely suspended by rotation.
[0027] The alignment mechanism may comprise at least one spring-like member that is connected to the horizontal base and a mounting base that is fixedly mounted to the ring gear. The at least one spring-like member is located between the horizontal base and the mounting base. For example, the at least one spring-like member is a spring, for example, a pressure spring.
[0028] In general, the spring-like member can be used to ensure proper pressure and / or alignment of the brush in relation to the surface of the screening unit to be cleaned, particularly the outer surface.
[0029] Another aspect provides that the cleaning unit comprises at least two brushes, each of the two brushes extending at least partially through the screening unit, particularly the outer surface of the screening unit. Therefore, a (substantially) symmetrical cleaning unit can be provided that has reduced weight while simultaneously ensuring improved loads. The two brushes can extend through different portions of the screening unit, particularly different portions along a longitudinal geometric axis of the screening unit, which coincides with the axis of symmetry of the screening unit. Furthermore, the brushes can be assigned to different areas of the outer surface of the screening unit relative to the circumference.
[0030] In general, it is ensured that the entire surface to be cleaned of the screening unit is cleaned by the two brushes that are moved along the screening unit, for example, along the outside of the screening unit. Petition 870250081640, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, pages 46 / 66 9 / 18
[0031] In particular, the two brushes are arranged diametrically opposite to each other. This ensures that the loads applied when automatically cleaning the screening unit are balanced, thus minimizing the risk of tilting of the cleaning unit, for example, the mechanism.
[0032] The processing unit may comprise a ventilation system that includes a ventilation duct extending axially through the rotor, an exhaust duct assigned to the inlet unit, which is in fluid communication with the grinding region, and an air source assigned to the outlet unit and configured to direct an air current to the ventilation duct. The ventilation system generally ensures that grinding is done efficiently, since the seed processed within the grinding region is subjected to the force applied by the air current directed to the ventilation duct. Therefore, the mechanical abrasion of the seed is improved, for example, by grid abrasion along the screening unit, particularly its inner side, by grid abrasion along the grinding side of the rotor and / or by grid abrasion with each other.
[0033] In addition, the invention also provides an adapted assembly for an industrial seed grinding machine as described above. The adapted assembly comprises an automatic cleaning unit with at least one cleaning element that is configured to come into contact in an operating mode with the seed grinding machine and the sieving unit, particularly the outer surface of the sieving unit. The at least one cleaning element is further configured to move relative to the sieving unit, thus automatically removing grinding residues from the sieving unit, particularly from the outer surface of the sieving unit.
[0034] In general, the automatic cleaning unit may comprise the cleaning element, the rack and pinion, and the drive unit. As mentioned above, the drive unit comprises the motor, the gear of Petition 870250081640, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 47 / 66 10 / 18 drive and the ring gear to which the rack is coupled, particularly through the alignment mechanism for the cleaning element. The cleaning element is mounted on the rack.
[0035] The adapted assembly may comprise all the above-mentioned components that are assigned to the automatic cleaning unit, namely, the cleaning element, the rack, the drive unit, the alignment mechanism.
[0036] In general, the automatic cleaning unit comprises a rack and a drive unit with a ring gear to which the rack is coupled. The ring gear may be rotatably mounted. The drive unit may comprise a motor and a drive gear that is driven by the motor. The drive gear may be engaged with a ring gear to be enabled to rotate the ring gear.
[0037] As mentioned above, the drive unit ensures efficient automatic cleaning of the screening unit. The cleaning element may be moved along the screening unit, particularly the outer surface of the screening unit, when the motor drives the drive gear which is engaged with the ring gear to which the rack is coupled and with which the cleaning element is freely rotatably mounted.
[0038] Furthermore, the adapted assembly may also comprise an alignment mechanism for the cleaning element, for example, that described above. The rack is coupled to the ring gear via the alignment mechanism for the cleaning element, the alignment mechanism comprising at least one spring-like member connected to the ring gear. The alignment mechanism may ensure that the brush is aligned with respect to the surface of the screening unit to be cleaned, for example, the outer surface. Consequently, the cleaning element exerts a defined pressure on the respective surface to be cleaned, i.e., the Petition 870250081640, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, pp. 48 / 66 11 / 18 outer surface of the screening unit. This ensures proper cleaning of the screening unit surface.
[0039] Since the automatic cleaning unit can be part of an adapted assembly, the automatic cleaning unit can be incorporated into an existing industrial seed grinding machine, thus adding the automatic cleaning functionality.
[0040] The seed grinding machine obtained has a built-in cleaning mechanism, thus reducing the frequency of manual cleaning.
[0041] The automatic cleaning unit is equipped with a cleaning mechanism that turns and rotates around the screening unit for continuous cleaning.
[0042] The aforementioned aspects and many of the corresponding advantages of the claimed subject matter will become more easily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0043] - Figure 1 a schematic overview of an industrial seed grinding machine according to an embodiment of the invention,
[0044] - Figure 2 a schematic perspective overview of an industrial seed grinding machine according to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1,
[0045] - Figure 3 an overview illustrating components of the industrial seed grinding machine according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1,
[0046] - Figure 4 an overview of a part of the industrial seed grinding machine according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1,
[0047] - Figure 5 a detailed view of an automatic cleaning unit supplied as an adapted assembly that is mounted on the industrial seed grinding machine according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, Petition 870250081640, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 49 / 66 12 / 18
[0048] - Figure 6 an overview of a part of the industrial seed grinding machine according to another embodiment of the invention,
[0049] - Figure 7 a detailed view of a part of the automatic cleaning unit, and
[0050] - Figure 8 an overview illustrating different views of the part shown in Figure 7.
[0051] Figures 1 to 6 show an industrial seed grinding machine 10 comprising an input unit 12 configured to receive a seed to be ground, a processing unit 14 configured to grind the seed, thereby creating ground seeds, and an output unit 16 configured to release the ground seed.
[0052] As shown in the Figures, the processing unit 14 is located between the input unit 12 and the output unit 16. In the embodiment shown, the processing unit 14 is arranged vertically between the input unit 12 and the output unit 16 so that the seed to be ground, which is received through the input unit 12, is directed to the processing unit 14. However, the processing unit 14 can also be arranged horizontally between the input unit 12 and the output unit 16. In fact, this depends on the dedicated design of the industrial seed grinding machine 10.
[0053] Processing unit 14 processes the seed to be ground, for example, by grinding the seed, thus creating ground seed as well as grinding residues. The grinding residues must be removed from the ground seed by processing unit 14, as will be described in more detail later. The ground seed is conveyed from processing unit 14 to output unit 16.
[0054] Figure 2 shows that the processing unit 14 has a housing 18 which is made up of two housing parts 20A and 20B in the arrangement shown, for example, housing halves. The parts of Petition 870250081640, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, pages 50 / 66 13 / 18 housing 20A, 20B can be rotated to provide access to internal components of processing unit 14.
[0055] Therefore, housing 18 covers the internal components of the processing unit 14 so that the internal components of the processing unit 14 are protected from the environment by housing 18.
[0056] The internal components of the processing unit 14, among others, comprise a rotor 22 with an external grinding side 24, as well as a screening unit 26 that encompasses the rotor 22. The arrangement of the rotor 22 and the screening unit 26 is shown in more detail on the right side of Figure 3.
[0057] Figure 3 also shows that the rotor 22 is made up of a plurality of components 28, for example, cylindrical stones that are stacked one on top of the other, with gaps provided between the adjacent components 28.
[0058] The seed to be ground by the processing unit 14 is processed mechanically, for example, ground, between the components 28 of the rotor 22, as well as between the rotor 22, particularly its grinding side 24, and the sieving unit 26, i.e., its inner side 30. Therefore, the grinding side 24 and the inner side 30 of the sieving unit 26 are opposite each other.
[0059] Consequently, a grinding region 32 is established between the inner side 30 of the screening unit 26 and the grinding side 24 of the rotor 22, wherein the grinding region 32 is annular.
[0060] Therefore, rotor 22 and screening unit 26 have a cylindrical shape with different radii, thus ensuring the annular grinding region 32.
[0061] In addition, the screening unit 26 has an outer side 34 with an outer surface 36 in which openings and / or slots are provided in the screening unit 26 so that the grinding residues can leave the grinding region 32 through the openings and / or slots of the screening unit 26, thus reaching the outer side 34 of the screening unit 26 to be discharged. Petition 870250081640, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, pages 51 / 66 14 / 18
[0062] Furthermore, the seed grinding machine 10 comprises an automatic cleaning unit 38 which can be set up as an adapted assembly 40 to be implemented on an existing seed grinding machine 10.
[0063] The cleaning unit 38, particularly the adapted assembly 40, comprises at least one cleaning element 42 which is made up of a brush in the embodiment shown.
[0064] The brush comprises a cylindrical longitudinal shaft body 43 in which a plurality of bristles 45 are arranged as shown in Figure 7 in more detail.
[0065] Alternatively, cleaning element 42 may be a miter curtain, a cloth, a feather duster or combinations of the above-mentioned components.
[0066] In general, the cleaning element 42 is in contact with the screening unit 26, particularly its outer side 34 or, instead, the outer surface 36 that is provided by the outer side 34.
[0067] Therefore, the cleaning element 42 comes into mechanical contact with the screening unit 26 so as to be enabled to mechanically clean the respective surface of the screening unit 26, particularly the outer surface 36. Thus, the grinding residues are removed from the respective surface of the screening unit 26 so that an excessive accumulation of grinding residues is avoided.
[0068] The removal of grinding residues is based on at least one dry cleaning technique which is selected from the group of scrubbing, brushing, polishing, sweeping and combinations thereof. In fact, the specific dry cleaning technique depends on the specific cleaning element 42 used for cleaning purposes.
[0069] The cleaning unit 38 further comprises a drive unit 44 which is used to move the cleaning element 42 relative to the Petition 870250081640, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, pages 52 / 66 15 / 18 screening unit 26, thus automatically removing grinding residues from the outer surface 36 of the screening unit 26.
[0070] The drive unit 44 is active when the seed grinding machine 10 is operated.
[0071] Consequently, the cleaning element 42 is moved along the outer side 34 of the sieving unit 26 in an operating mode of the seed grinding machine 10.
[0072] Thus, accumulated grinding residues, such as cereal bran, can be automatically removed while using the seed grinding machine 10 without the need for a stop (idle time) of the seed grinding machine 10.
[0073] Specifically, the drive unit 44 comprises a motor that drives a drive gear 48, for example, a pinion, which is engaged to a ring gear 50 that is rotatably mounted so that the ring gear 50 is enabled to rotate around its axis of rotation.
[0074] The cleaning element 42 is mounted on the ring gear 50 so that the rotation of the ring gear 50 results in a relative movement of the cleaning element 42 with respect to the screening unit 26.
[0075] In a simple embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the cleaning element 42 is connected to the ring gear 50. In fact, the cleaning element 42 is mounted on a rack 52 which is connected to the ring gear 50.
[0076] In this embodiment, the rack 52 comprises a vertically extending crossbar 54 (vertical crossbar) extending from a horizontal base 56 of the rack 52 by means of which the rack 52 is connected to the ring gear 50.
[0077] In general, the cleaning element 42 is freely rotatable suspended in the rack 52 so that the cleaning element 42 is enabled to act. Petition 870250081640, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, pages 53 / 66 16 / 18 as a roller cleaning element, for example, a cylinder brush. In fact, this ensures that autorotation of the cleaning element 42 is exclusively driven by frictional contact between the cleaning element 42 and the screening unit 26, i.e., the outer surface 36. In other words, the cleaning element 42 is not driven by the drive unit 44 in order to rotate around its own axis of rotation, since it autorotates merely based on the friction that occurs between the cleaning element 42 and the outer surface 36 of the screening unit 26.
[0078] In a more sophisticated embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8 in more detail, the cleaning element 42 is freely rotatable suspended in the rack 52 comprising a horizontal crossbar 58 which is rotatably connected with two vertically extending bars 60 that are parallel to each other. The vertical bars 60 extend from the horizontal base 56 which is connected via an alignment mechanism 62 to a mounting base 64 through which the entire rack 52 is connected with the ring gear 50, as shown in Figure 5.
[0079] The alignment mechanism 62 comprises at least one spring-like member 66 that is located between the mounting base 64 and the horizontal base 56 from which the vertical bars 60 extend.
[0080] Figure 8 shows that the automatic cleaning unit 38 has a self-aligning mechanism 68. The self-aligning mechanism 68 is established by the alignment mechanism 62, as well as by a rotating connection 70 between the horizontal crossbar 58 and the vertical bars 60.
[0081] As shown in Figure 8, the self-aligning mechanism 68 provides two hinges 72, 74 such that the cleaning element 42 can self-align its relative position with respect to the outer surface 36 of the screening unit 26.
[0082] In general, the cleaning unit 38 may comprise two cleaning elements 42 provided by brushes. Petition 870250081640, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, pages 54 / 66 17 / 18
[0083] The cleaning elements 42 extend at least partially through the screening unit 26, namely, over a portion of the longitudinal dimension of the screening unit 26, such that each of the cleaning elements 42 covers only a part of the external surface 36 of the screening unit 26, although they are rotated around the screening unit 26. However, both cleaning elements 42 are located at different heights, so that together they cover the entire external surface 36 of the screening unit 26 when they are moved along the external surface 36.
[0084] Furthermore, the two cleaning elements 42 are arranged diametrically opposite to each other, thus reducing unbalanced loads on the ring gear 50 so that the entire cleaning unit 38 is not tilted during operation.
[0085] In general, the automatic cleaning unit 38 ensures that it is not necessary to manually clean the screening unit 26 in order to remove accumulated grinding residues, since the cleaning elements 42 move along the outer surface 36 of the screening unit 26, thus removing any accumulated grinding residues.
[0086] As illustrated in the embodiments, the rod body 43 is aligned parallel to a rotation axis of the rotor 22 in the operating mode of the seed grinding machine 10, the rotation axis coinciding with the axis of symmetry of the rotor 22 and / or the sieving unit 26.
[0087] In Figures 1 to 3, it is also shown that the seed grinding machine 10 comprises a ventilation system 76 which has a ventilation channel 78 (illustrated by dashed lines in Figure 1) that extends through the rotor 22.
[0088] In addition, the ventilation system 76 has an exhaust duct 80 that is in fluid communication with the grinding region 32.
[0089] The ventilation system 76 additionally comprises an air source which is assigned to the outlet unit 16 as shown in Figure 1. Petition 870250081640, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, pages 55 / 66 18 / 18
[0090] The air source 82 is configured to direct an air current to the ventilation channel 78, so that the seed to be ground is stirred within the processing unit 14, thus ensuring that the seeds grind each other, on the grinding side 24 of the rotor 22 and / or on the inner side 30 of the sieving unit 26. Petition 870250081640, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, pages 56 / 66
Claims
1 / 5 CLAIMS 1. Industrial seed grinding machine (10) comprising: an input unit (12) configured to receive a seed to be ground, a processing unit (14) configured to grind the seed, and an output unit (16) configured to release a ground seed, wherein the processing unit (14) is disposed between the input unit (12) and the output unit (14), wherein the processing unit (16) comprises: a rotor (22) with an external grinding side (24), a cylindrical sieving unit (26) encompassing the rotor (22), wherein the sieving unit (26) has an inner side (30) and an outer side (34) with an external surface (36), wherein the inner side (30) and the grinding side (34) of the rotor (22) are opposite each other so that an annular grinding region (32) is formed between the screening unit (26) and rotor (22),and a housing (18) encompassing the rotor (22) and the sieving unit (26) such that the rotor (22) and the sieving unit (26) are protected from the environment by the housing (18), characterized in that the processing unit (14) comprises at least one automatic cleaning unit (38) comprising at least one cleaning element (42) which, in an operating mode of the seed grinding machine (10), is in contact with the sieving unit (26), wherein the at least one cleaning element (42) is configured to move relative to the sieving unit (26), thus automatically removing grinding residues from the sieving unit (26). Petition 870250081640, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 57 / 66 2 / 5, 2. Industrial seed grinding machine (10), according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one cleaning element (42) is selected from the group consisting of miter curtain, cloth, feather duster, brush and combinations thereof, in particular, the automatic removal of grinding residues is based on at least one dry cleaning technique that is selected from the group consisting of scrubbing, brushing, polishing, sweeping and combinations thereof.
3. Industrial seed grinding machine (10), according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one cleaning element (42) is a brush comprising a cylindrical longitudinal rod body (43) in which a plurality of bristles (45) are arranged, in particular, in that, in the operating mode of the seed grinding machine (10), the rod body (43) is aligned parallel to a rotor rotation axis (22).
4. Industrial seed grinding machine (10), according to claim 3, characterized in that, in the operating mode of the seed grinding machine (10), an autorotation of at least one brush is driven exclusively by a frictional contact between the brush and the sieving unit (26).
5. Industrial seed grinding machine (10), according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the cleaning unit (38) further comprises a rack (52) with a horizontal base (56), the brush being freely rotatable suspended in the rack (52), thus allowing the brush to act as a cylinder brush.
6. Industrial seed grinding machine (10), according to claim 5, characterized in that the rack (52) comprises a vertical crossbar (54) extending vertically from the horizontal base (56) or a horizontal crossbar (58) mounted between two parallel bars (60) extending vertically from the horizontal base (56), and wherein the body of the rod (43) is freely rotatable suspended on the respective crossbar (54, 58).
7. Industrial seed grinding machine (10), according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the rack (52) is coupled to a drive unit (44) which, in the operating mode of the seed grinding machine (10), is configured to repeatedly rotate the brush along the sieving unit (26).
8. Industrial seed grinding machine (10), according to claim 7, characterized in that the drive unit (44) comprises a ring gear (50) to which the rack (52) is coupled and in which the ring gear (50) is rotatably mounted.
9. Industrial seed grinding machine (10), according to claim 8, characterized in that the drive unit (44) comprises a motor (46) and a drive gear (48) which is driven by the motor (46) and in that the drive gear (48) is engaged with the ring gear (50) to rotate the ring gear (50).
10. Industrial seed grinding machine (10), according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the rack (52) is coupled to the ring gear (50) by means of an alignment mechanism (62) for at least one brush.
11. Industrial seed grinding machine (10), according to claim 10, characterized in that the alignment mechanism (62) comprises at least one spring-like member (66) that is connected to the horizontal base (56) and a mounting base (64) that is fixedly mounted on the ring gear (50), and wherein the at least one spring-like member (66) is located between the horizontal base (56) and the mounting base (64).
12. Industrial seed grinding machine (10), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning unit Petition 870250081640, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, page 59 / 66 4 / 5 (38) comprises at least two brushes (60), each of the two brushes extending at least partially through the sieving unit (26).
13. Industrial seed grinding machine (10), according to claim 12, characterized in that the two brushes are arranged diametrically opposite to each other.
14. Industrial seed grinding machine (10), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the processing unit (14) further comprises a ventilation system (76), including: a ventilation duct (78) extending axially through the rotor (22), an exhaust duct (78) assigned to the inlet unit (12), which is in fluid communication with the grinding region (32), and an air source (82) assigned to the outlet unit (16) and configured to direct an air stream to the ventilation duct (80).
15. Adapted assembly (40) for an industrial seed grinding machine (10), according to claim 1, the adapted assembly (40) being characterized by comprising an automatic cleaning unit (38) with at least one cleaning element (42) which is configured to contact, in an operating mode of the seed grinding machine (10), the sieving unit (26), the at least one cleaning element (42) being further configured to move relative to the sieving unit (26), thus automatically removing grinding residues from the sieving unit (26), in particular, the cleaning unit (42) comprising a rack (52) and a drive unit (44) with an annular gear (50) to which the rack (52) is coupled, the annular gear (50) being rotatably mounted, the drive unit (44) Petition 870250081640, of 11 / 09 / 2025, page.60 / 66 5 / 5 comprises a motor (46) and a drive gear (48) which is driven by the motor (44) and the drive gear (48) is engaged with the ring gear (50) to enable it to rotate the ring gear (50).
16. Adapted assembly (40), according to claim 15, characterized in that the rack (52) is coupled to the ring gear (50) through an alignment mechanism (62) for the cleaning element (42) and wherein the alignment mechanism (62) comprises at least one spring-like member (66) that is connected to the ring gear (50). Petition 870250081640, dated 11 / 09 / 2025, pp. 61 / 66