Plastic pulverizer
By incorporating a water inlet pipe and linkage components into the crusher, combined with a hammer and elastic plate design, the problem of plastic particles accumulating on the permeable sliding track was solved, achieving efficient machine operation and improved production efficiency.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202423193928.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-24
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-14
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-12-24
AI Technical Summary
In existing plastic crushers, plastic particles slide slower on the permeable slide channel after getting wet, which can easily cause them to accumulate and clog the machine, affecting production efficiency.
A water inlet pipe is installed between the crushing roller and the water-permeable slide plate. High-pressure nozzles are used to spray water to rinse the plastic particles. The water inlet pipe and the crushing roller rotate synchronously through a linkage component. Combined with the design of the hammer and the elastic plate, the particles are prevented from accumulating.
It effectively prevents plastic particles from accumulating on the permeable slide plate, ensuring that the machine is not blocked, improving production efficiency and reducing energy consumption.
Smart Images

Figure CN223545546U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of plastic recycling technology, and in particular to a plastic crusher. Background Technology
[0002] Recycled plastics are often processed by plastic shredders to transform irregularly shaped materials into smaller plastic granules, facilitating transportation and subsequent processing. Typical plastic shredders use a pair of crushing rollers to tear the material entering between the rollers into granules of a size roughly equivalent to the distance between the rollers.
[0003] The plastic shredder described in announcement number CN217777473U includes a shredding chamber, a water inlet pipe fixedly installed on one side of the shredding chamber, a spray main pipe fixedly connected to one end of the water inlet pipe, a high-pressure nozzle installed at the bottom end of the spray main pipe, a water-permeable sliding channel fixedly connected to the inner side of the bottom end of the shredding chamber, a drying chamber fixedly connected to one side of the bottom end, and a drying fan fixedly installed inside the drying chamber; a fragment sliding channel fixedly connected to the inner side of the cutting chamber, one end of the fragment sliding channel being fixedly connected to a material extension ramp, and the other end being fixedly connected to a cutting discharge channel.
[0004] Based on the above technical features, the problem is that, in the existing technology, when plastic granules are wetted, due to the effects of friction, water adhesion, and surface tension, the sliding speed of the plastic granules along the permeable slide channel slows down, which easily leads to the accumulation of plastic granules on the permeable slide channel, thereby reducing the overall output efficiency of the machine, and even clogging the machine in severe cases.
[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to solve the above problems using a plastic shredder. Utility Model Content
[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a plastic crusher to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.
[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a plastic crusher, comprising a cutting box, a discharge box, a crushing box, and a drying box; a cutting mechanism is provided inside the cutting box, and a feeding component is fixedly installed at the inlet of the cutting box; the inlet of the discharge box is fixedly connected to the outlet of the cutting box, and a feeding plate is provided at the outlet of the cutting box, the feeding plate being inclined towards the inlet of the discharge box; a crushing roller and a water inlet pipe are rotatably installed inside the crushing box, the crushing roller and the water inlet pipe being driven and cooperated by a linkage component; the inlet of the crushing box is fixedly connected to the outlet of the discharge box, and the outlet of the crushing box is fixedly connected to the inlet of the drying box; a water-permeable slide plate is fixedly provided at the outlet of the crushing box, the water-permeable slide plate being located below the crushing roller and inclined towards the inlet of the drying box; a water inlet pipe is located between the crushing roller and the water-permeable slide plate, and multiple evenly arranged high-pressure nozzles are fixedly connected to the water inlet pipe; a drain outlet is provided at the bottom of the crushing box.
[0008] Preferably, the crushing roller includes a first crushing roller and a second crushing roller; the first crushing roller and the second crushing roller are parallel to each other and located at the same height, the first crushing roller is coaxially fixedly connected to a first shaft, the second crushing roller is coaxially fixedly connected to a second shaft, and both the first shaft and the second shaft are rotatably connected to the crushing box; a third motor is fixedly installed on the crushing box, and the output shaft of the third motor is coaxially fixedly connected to the first shaft; a first gear is coaxially fixedly connected to the first shaft, and a second gear is coaxially fixedly connected to the second shaft, the first gear and the second gear mesh with each other and are both located outside the crushing box.
[0009] Preferably, the water inlet pipe includes a first water inlet pipe and a second water inlet pipe, both of which are rotatably connected to the crushing box; the first water inlet pipe is parallel to the first shaft and located directly below the first crushing roller, and the second water inlet pipe is parallel to the second shaft and located directly below the second crushing roller.
[0010] Preferably, a third shaft is rotatably mounted on the cutting box, and a hammer is fixedly mounted on the third shaft; an elastic plate is fixedly connected to the feed plate, and the hammer impacts and engages with the elastic plate; a torsion spring is fixedly mounted between the third shaft and the cutting box; a swing arm is fixedly connected to the third shaft, and the swing arm engages with the second water inlet pipe through a transmission component; the swing arm is located outside the cutting box, and the feed plate is made of thin stainless steel.
[0011] Preferably, the linkage assembly includes a first pulley, a second pulley, a third pulley, and a belt; the first pulley is coaxially and fixedly connected to the first shaft, the second pulley is fixedly sleeved on the first water inlet pipe, and the third pulley is fixedly sleeved on the second water inlet pipe; the first pulley, the second pulley, and the third pulley are located outside the crushing box and are driven through the belt.
[0012] Preferably, the transmission component includes a cam, which is fixedly sleeved on the second water inlet pipe, and the protrusion of the cam abuts against the rocker arm for transmission.
[0013] Preferably, the linkage component includes a third gear and a fourth gear; the third gear is fixedly sleeved on the first water inlet pipe, and the fourth gear is fixedly sleeved on the second water inlet pipe; the third gear meshes with the first gear, and the fourth gear meshes with the second gear.
[0014] Preferably, the transmission component includes a lever, which is fixedly connected to the second water inlet pipe, and the lever engages with the swing arm in a transmission connection.
[0015] Preferably, the cutting mechanism includes a cutting blade, which is driven by a second motor fixedly mounted on the cutting box.
[0016] Preferably, the feeding assembly includes a conveyor belt, a support frame is fixedly mounted on the cutting box, and the conveyor belt is mounted on the support frame; a first motor is fixedly mounted on the support frame, and the first motor is the driving source for the conveyor belt.
[0017] The technical effects and advantages of this utility model are as follows:
[0018] First, this utility model places the water inlet pipe between the crushing roller and the permeable slide plate. While the water inlet pipe sprays water onto the crushing roller, the rotating water inlet pipe can spray water onto the permeable slide plate, thereby flushing the plastic on the permeable slide plate down, preventing plastic particles from accumulating on the permeable slide plate, accelerating the sliding of plastic particles into the drying chamber, ensuring that the machine is not blocked, and thus improving production efficiency.
[0019] Secondly, this utility model is equipped with a hammer and an elastic plate. The elastic plate is fixedly connected to the feeding plate made of stainless steel sheet. The hammer strikes the elastic plate, causing the elastic plate to vibrate. The vibration of the elastic plate drives the feeding plate to vibrate, thereby preventing the cut plastic blocks from accumulating on the feeding plate and accelerating the sliding of the plastic blocks, thus improving production efficiency.
[0020] Third, this utility model combines the crushing roller and water pipe together through a linkage component, and combines the impact motion with the rotation of the water pipe through a transmission component. The structure is simple, reduces the number of drive sources, improves energy utilization, and reduces manufacturing costs. Attached Figure Description
[0021] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional orthographic diagram of Embodiment 1 of the present utility model;
[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic half-section view of an embodiment of the present utility model;
[0023] Figure 3This is a three-dimensional rear view schematic diagram of Embodiment 1 of this utility model;
[0024] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
[0025] In the diagram: 1. Cutting box; 101. Cutting blade; 201. Third gear; 202. Fourth gear; 3. Discharge box; 4. Drying box; 5. Feeding assembly; 6. Crushing box; 7. Drain outlet; 801. First gear; 802. Second gear; 901. First pulley; 902. Second pulley; 903. Third pulley; 10. Belt; 1101. First water inlet pipe; 1102. Second water inlet pipe; 12. Cam; 13. Swing rod; 14. Actuating rod; 15. Water-permeable sliding plate; 1601. First shaft; 1602. Second shaft; 1701. First crushing roller; 1702. Second crushing roller; 18. Feeding plate; 1801. Elastic plate; 19. Hammer; 20. Third shaft; 21. Third motor; 22. Second motor; 23. First motor. Detailed Implementation
[0026] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present utility model without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.
[0027] Example 1: This utility model provides the following... Figures 1 to 3 The plastic crusher shown includes a cutting box 1, a discharge box 3, a crushing box 6, and a drying box 4.
[0028] A cutting mechanism is installed inside the cutting box 1, and a feeding component 5 is fixedly installed at the feed inlet of the cutting box 1.
[0029] The feeding assembly 5 is used to transport plastic waste and includes a conveyor belt. A support frame is fixedly installed on the cutting box 1, and the conveyor belt is horizontally oriented towards the feed inlet of the cutting box 1. The conveyor belt is mounted on the support frame. A first motor 23 is fixedly installed on the support frame, and the first motor 23 is connected to the conveyor rollers of the conveyor belt to provide power to the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt is prior art and will not be described in detail here.
[0030] The cutting mechanism is used to cut plastic waste and includes a cutting blade 101. The cutting blade 101 is rotatably mounted inside the cutting box 1. A second motor 22 is bolted to the cutting box 1, and the output shaft of the second motor 22 is connected to the cutting blade 101 for transmission. The cutting blade 101 is also existing technology and will not be described in detail here.
[0031] The discharge port of the cutting box 1 is fixedly connected to the inlet of the discharge box 3. A feeding plate 18 is provided at the discharge port of the cutting box 1. The feeding plate 18 is located below the cutting blade 101 and is inclined towards the inlet of the discharge box 3 for feeding.
[0032] The feeding plate 18 is a thin stainless steel plate and is fixedly connected to the cutting box 1. A third shaft 20 is rotatably mounted on the cutting box 1, and the third shaft 20 is arranged horizontally and located below the feeding plate 18. A hammer 19 is fixedly mounted radially on the third shaft 20. An elastic plate 1801 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the feeding plate 18. The hammer 19 impacts and engages with the elastic plate 1801 to vibrate the feeding plate 18, thereby accelerating the feeding process.
[0033] A torsion spring is fitted onto the third shaft 20, with one end of the torsion spring fixedly connected to the third shaft 20 and the other end fixedly connected to the cutting box 1. This is used for resetting the hammer 19.
[0034] A swing arm 13 is fixedly mounted radially on the third shaft 20, and the swing arm 13 is located outside the cutting box 1. The swing arm 13 is used to drive the third shaft 20 to rotate.
[0035] A discharge port is provided at the bottom of the discharge box 3, and the inlet of the crushing box 6 is fixedly connected to the discharge port of the discharge box 3.
[0036] A crushing roller and a water inlet pipe are rotatably installed inside the crushing box 6. The crushing roller is used to crush and cut plastic waste into pieces, and the water inlet pipe is used to spray water onto the crushing roller. The crushing roller and the water inlet pipe are driven by a linkage assembly.
[0037] The crushing rollers include a first crushing roller 1701 and a second crushing roller 1702. The first crushing roller 1701 and the second crushing roller 1702 are parallel to each other and located at the same height. The first crushing roller 1701 is coaxially and fixedly connected to a first shaft 1601, and the second crushing roller 1702 is coaxially and fixedly connected to a second shaft 1602. Both the first shaft 1601 and the second shaft 1602 are rotatably connected to the crushing box 6. A third motor 21 is bolted to the crushing box 6, and the output shaft of the third motor 21 is coaxially and fixedly connected to the first shaft 1601.
[0038] The first shaft 1601 is coaxially and fixedly connected to the first gear 801, and the second shaft 1602 is coaxially and fixedly connected to the second gear 802. The first gear 801 and the second gear 802 are meshed and both are located outside the crushing box 6. They are used to drive the first crushing roller 1701 and the second crushing roller 1702 to rotate.
[0039] The water inlet pipes include a first water inlet pipe 1101 and a second water inlet pipe 1102. Both the first water inlet pipe 1101 and the second water inlet pipe 1102 are rotatably connected to the crushing box 6. The first water inlet pipe 1101 is parallel to the first shaft 1601 and located directly below the first crushing roller 1701, and the second water inlet pipe 1102 is parallel to the second shaft 1602 and located directly below the second crushing roller 1702.
[0040] Multiple high-pressure nozzles are fixedly connected to both the first water inlet pipe 1101 and the second water inlet pipe 1102. The multiple high-pressure nozzles are arranged linearly in a straight line along the axial direction of their respective water inlet pipes, and each high-pressure nozzle is also arranged radially along its respective water inlet pipe. This is used for spraying water.
[0041] The linkage assembly includes a first pulley 901, a second pulley 902, a third pulley 903, and a belt 10. The first pulley 901 is coaxially and fixedly connected to the first shaft 1601. The second pulley 902 is fixedly sleeved on the first water inlet pipe 1101, and the third pulley 903 is fixedly sleeved on the second water inlet pipe 1102. The first pulley 901, second pulley 902, and third pulley 903 are located outside the crushing chamber 6 and are driven through the belt 10. They are used to drive the first water inlet pipe 1101 and the second water inlet pipe 1102 to rotate synchronously.
[0042] The first water inlet pipe 1101 and the second water inlet pipe 1102 are both connected to an external water tank. This technology is existing technology and will not be described in detail here.
[0043] The rocker arm 13 is driven by a transmission component, including a cam 12, which is fixedly mounted on the second water inlet pipe 1102. The cam 12 has two protrusions symmetrically arranged about the center of its central axis, and these protrusions intermittently engage with the rocker arm 13. This drives the rocker arm 13 to revolve around the third shaft 20.
[0044] A permeable slide plate 15 is fixedly installed at the discharge port of the crushing chamber 6. The permeable slide plate 15 is located below the water inlet pipe and angled towards the feed inlet of the drying chamber 4. The feed inlet of the drying chamber 4 is fixedly connected to the discharge port of the crushing chamber 6. The permeable slide plate 15 has multiple water permeable holes arranged in a matrix. These holes are used to allow water mixed between the plastic particles to pass through.
[0045] The bottom of the pulverizing box 6 is provided with a drain outlet 7 to drain the water dripping from the permeable slide plate 15.
[0046] The discharge port of drying box 4 is connected to an external ton bag, which is existing technology and will not be described in detail here.
[0047] Working principle of Example 1: During production, plastic waste is conveyed to the cutting box 1 via the feeding assembly 5. The cutting blade 101 in the cutting box 1 cuts the plastic waste into plastic blocks. The plastic blocks fall onto the feeding plate 18 and slide along the feeding plate 18 into the discharge box 3.
[0048] Next, the plastic block falls from the discharge box 3 into the space between the first crushing roller 1701 and the second crushing roller 1702. The first crushing roller 1701 and the second crushing roller 1702 crush the plastic block. During this process, the output shaft of the third motor 21 drives the first shaft 1601 to rotate, and the first shaft 1601 drives the first crushing roller 1701 to rotate, while simultaneously driving the first gear 801 and the first pulley 901 to rotate.
[0049] When the first gear 801 rotates, it drives the second gear 802 to rotate. The second gear 802 drives the second shaft 1602 to rotate, and the second shaft 1602 drives the second crushing roller 1702 to rotate. The first crushing roller 1701 and the second crushing roller 1702 rotate relative to each other, thereby crushing the plastic block into plastic granules.
[0050] When the first pulley 901 rotates, it drives the second pulley 902 and the third pulley 903 to rotate synchronously via the belt 10. At this time, the second pulley 902 drives the first water inlet pipe 1101 to rotate, and the third pulley 903 drives the second water inlet pipe 1102 to rotate. The rotation of the first water inlet pipe 1101 and the second water inlet pipe 1102 drives the high-pressure nozzle to rotate.
[0051] The water sprayed from the high-pressure nozzle forms a water curtain with a certain impact force. When the high-pressure nozzle rotates to face the crushing roller, the water sprays to cool the crushing roller. When the high-pressure nozzle rotates to face the water-permeable slide plate 15, the water flow pushes the plastic particles on the water-permeable slide plate 15 toward the discharge port of the crushing box 6, thereby preventing the accumulation of plastic particles.
[0052] As the second water inlet pipe 1102 rotates, it drives the cam 12 to rotate. When the protrusion of the cam 12 contacts the rocker arm 13, it pushes the rocker arm 13 to rotate around the third shaft 20. The third shaft 20 drives the hammer 19 to rotate. During the rotation of the hammer 19, it strikes the elastic plate 1801, which causes the feeding plate 18 to vibrate. During the vibration of the feeding plate 18, the plastic block slides down faster.
[0053] After the protrusion of cam 12 rotates and disengages from rocker arm 13, under the action of torsion spring and elastic plate 1801, third shaft 20 reverses and drives hammer 19 to rotate away from elastic plate 1801 until it returns to its original position. Then, as cam 12 continues to rotate, hammer 19 intermittently strikes elastic plate 1801, causing feed plate 18 to vibrate intermittently.
[0054] Finally, the plastic granules slide into the drying chamber 4 through the permeable slide plate 15 for drying. The dried plastic granules fall into the ton bag from the discharge port of the drying chamber 4.
[0055] Example 2: This utility model provides the following... Figure 4 The plastic crusher shown in this embodiment differs from Embodiment 1 in that the linkage assembly includes a third gear 201 and a fourth gear 202. The third gear 201 is fixedly sleeved on the first water inlet pipe 1101, and the fourth gear 202 is fixedly sleeved on the second water inlet pipe 1102. The third gear 201 meshes with the first gear 801, and the fourth gear 202 meshes with the second gear 802.
[0056] The transmission component includes a lever 14, which is arranged radially along the second water inlet pipe 1102 and fixedly connected to the second water inlet pipe 1102. The lever 14 and the swing arm 13 intermittently engage in transmission.
[0057] Working principle of embodiment 2: The difference between the working principle of this embodiment and that of embodiment 1 is that when the first gear 801 rotates, it drives the third gear 201 to rotate; when the second gear 802 rotates, it drives the fourth gear 202 to rotate.
[0058] When the third gear 201 rotates, it drives the first water inlet pipe 1101 to rotate; when the fourth gear 202 rotates, it drives the second water inlet pipe 1102 to rotate.
[0059] When the second water inlet pipe 1102 rotates, it drives the actuating rod 14 to rotate around the second water inlet pipe 1102. When the actuating rod 14 rotates, it intermittently abuts against the swing rod 13 and pushes the swing rod 13 to rotate around the third shaft 20.
[0060] The other working processes are the same as in Example 1, and will not be described in detail here.
[0061] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Although the present utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A plastic crusher, comprising a cutting box (1), a discharge box (3), a crushing box (6), and a drying box (4); characterized in that: The cutting box (1) is equipped with a cutting mechanism, and a feeding assembly (5) is fixedly installed at the inlet of the cutting box (1); the inlet of the discharge box (3) is fixedly connected to the outlet of the cutting box (1), and a feeding plate (18) is provided at the outlet of the cutting box (1), the feeding plate (18) is inclined towards the inlet of the discharge box (3); the crushing box (6) is rotatably equipped with a crushing roller and a water inlet pipe, and the crushing roller and the water inlet pipe are driven by a linkage assembly; the inlet of the crushing box (6) The discharge port of the crushing box (6) is fixedly connected to the discharge port of the discharge box (3), and the discharge port of the crushing box (6) is fixedly connected to the inlet of the drying box (4); a water-permeable slide plate (15) is fixedly installed at the discharge port of the crushing box (6), the water-permeable slide plate (15) is located below the crushing roller and inclined towards the inlet of the drying box (4); the water inlet pipe is located between the crushing roller and the water-permeable slide plate (15), and multiple evenly arranged high-pressure nozzles are fixedly connected to the water inlet pipe; a drain outlet (7) is opened at the bottom of the crushing box (6).
2. The plastic pulverizer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The crushing rollers include a first crushing roller (1701) and a second crushing roller (1702); the first crushing roller (1701) and the second crushing roller (1702) are parallel to each other and located at the same height. The first crushing roller (1701) is coaxially fixedly connected to a first shaft (1601), and the second crushing roller (1702) is coaxially fixedly connected to a second shaft (1602). Both the first shaft (1601) and the second shaft (1602) are rotatably connected to the crushing box (6). A third motor (21) is fixedly installed on the crushing box (6). The output shaft of the third motor (21) is coaxially fixedly connected to the first shaft (1601). The first shaft (1601) is coaxially fixedly connected to a first gear (801), and the second shaft (1602) is coaxially fixedly connected to a second gear (802). The first gear (801) and the second gear (802) mesh with each other and are both located outside the crushing box (6).
3. The plastic pulverizer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The water inlet pipe includes a first water inlet pipe (1101) and a second water inlet pipe (1102), both of which are rotatably connected to the crushing box (6). The first water inlet pipe (1101) is parallel to the first shaft (1601) and located directly below the first crushing roller (1701), and the second water inlet pipe (1102) is parallel to the second shaft (1602) and located directly below the second crushing roller (1702).
4. The plastic pulverizer according to claim 3, characterized in that: A third shaft (20) is rotatably mounted on the cutting box (1), and a hammer (19) is fixedly mounted on the third shaft (20); an elastic plate (1801) is fixedly connected to the feed plate (18), and the hammer (19) and the elastic plate (1801) collide; a torsion spring is fixedly mounted between the third shaft (20) and the cutting box (1); a swing rod (13) is fixedly connected to the third shaft (20), and the swing rod (13) is driven by a transmission component and a second water inlet pipe (1102); the swing rod (13) is located outside the cutting box (1), and the feed plate (18) is a thin stainless steel plate.
5. The plastic pulverizer according to claim 4, characterized in that: The linkage assembly includes a first pulley (901), a second pulley (902), a third pulley (903), and a belt (10); the first pulley (901) is coaxially and fixedly connected to the first shaft (1601), the second pulley (902) is fixedly sleeved on the first water inlet pipe (1101), and the third pulley (903) is fixedly sleeved on the second water inlet pipe (1102); the first pulley (901), the second pulley (902), and the third pulley (903) are located outside the crushing box (6) and are driven through the belt (10).
6. The plastic pulverizer according to claim 5, characterized in that: The transmission component includes a cam (12), which is fixedly sleeved on the second water inlet pipe (1102), and the protrusion of the cam (12) abuts against the rocker arm (13) for transmission cooperation.
7. The plastic pulverizer according to claim 4, characterized in that: The linkage assembly includes a third gear (201) and a fourth gear (202); the third gear (201) is fixedly sleeved on the first water inlet pipe (1101), and the fourth gear (202) is fixedly sleeved on the second water inlet pipe (1102); the third gear (201) meshes with the first gear (801), and the fourth gear (202) meshes with the second gear (802).
8. The plastic pulverizer according to claim 7, characterized in that: The transmission component includes a lever (14), which is fixedly connected to the second water inlet pipe (1102), and the lever (14) abuts against the swing arm (13) for transmission cooperation.
9. The plastic pulverizer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cutting mechanism includes a cutting blade (101), which is driven by a second motor (22) fixedly mounted on the cutting box (1).
10. The plastic pulverizer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feeding assembly (5) includes a conveyor belt, and a support frame is fixedly installed on the cutting box (1). The conveyor belt is installed on the support frame. A first motor (23) is fixedly installed on the support frame. The first motor (23) is the driving source of the conveyor belt.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Plastic pulverizer
CN217777473U