Separating device for ocean micro-plastics with different pore diameters

Abstract

The utility model provides a separating device for ocean micro-plastics with different pore diameters, which relates to the technical field of ocean micro-plastics screening and comprises an outer pipe, an inner pipe and an outer pipe, the separating mechanism is a vertically-through pipe fitting and can be vertically arranged in the outer pipe in a sliding mode through an elastic piece; and the power device comprises a motor, an incomplete gear and a rack, and the rack is connected with the separation mechanism. The device has the advantages that automatic up-down reciprocating motion of the separation mechanism is achieved through meshing transmission of the incomplete gear and the rack in cooperation with the reset function of the elastic piece, seawater is actively introduced and screened, the separation efficiency and the automation degree are improved, manual intervention is reduced, it is ensured that the device stably operates in the complex marine environment, and the service life of the device is prolonged. Furthermore, the spiral flow guide strips are arranged on the inner wall of the funnel part, so that the seawater forms rotational flow in the separation mechanism, and the separation effect of the micro-plastics is further enhanced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of marine microplastic screening technology, and in particular to a marine microplastic separation device with different pore sizes. Background Technology

[0002] Marine microplastic separation refers to the process of separating microplastics from other substances in marine environmental media (such as seawater, sediments, etc.) in order to detect, analyze, and study the microplastics.

[0003] The common separation method is sieving and filtration: using stainless steel or copper filter screens with small pore sizes to trap microplastics. This method is the most commonly used method for separating microplastics from water samples. It achieves the sieving of microplastics of different pore sizes by using multiple screens with different pore sizes. The common separation device on the market is a non-powered structure with a filter screen installed on one side. It uses the impact of seawater to continuously accumulate and sieve marine microplastics into the device. This device has a simple structure and is easy to use, but it depends on the impact of seawater and takes a long time to complete the separation. Therefore, it is difficult to obtain a good amount of separation accumulation in the short term. In view of this, we propose a marine microplastic separation device with different pore sizes. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, embodiments of the present invention provide a marine microplastic separation device with different pore sizes to solve the technical problem of long screening cycles in existing non-powered microplastic separation devices.

[0005] An embodiment of this utility model provides a marine microplastic separation device with different pore sizes, comprising:

[0006] The outer tube has multiple openings on its surface for seawater to enter;

[0007] The separation mechanism is a tubular component that runs vertically through the outer tube and can be vertically slidably disposed inside the outer tube by means of an elastic element;

[0008] The system includes a power unit comprising a motor, an incomplete gear, and a rack. The rack is connected to the separation mechanism, and the incomplete gear meshes with the rack. The incomplete gear is connected to the output end of the motor. Driven by the motor, the incomplete gear rotates and meshes with the rack through its teeth, thereby forcing the upper opening of the separation mechanism downwards past the opening of the outer pipe, actively introducing seawater into the separation mechanism. When the incomplete gear disengages from the rack, an elastic element pushes the separation mechanism upwards to reset, completing one active seawater sieving cycle.

[0009] Furthermore, the outer tube includes a floating tube, an immersion tube, multiple connecting rods, and a buoy. The floating tube and the immersion tube are connected by multiple connecting rods, and an opening is formed between adjacent connecting rods to allow seawater to enter the immersion tube. The buoy is located outside the immersion tube to keep the floating tube on a horizontal plane.

[0010] Furthermore, the separation mechanism includes a filter tube section, a funnel section, and multiple screens. The funnel section is interconnected with the upper end of the filter tube section, and the funnel section is slidably connected to the floating tube and the soaking tube. The multiple screens are equally spaced inside the filter tube section, and the aperture of the multiple screens gradually decreases from top to bottom.

[0011] Furthermore, the elastic element includes a retaining ring and two springs. Both sides of the filter tube are connected to one of the springs via horizontal rods, and the other ends of the two springs are connected to the retaining ring. The retaining ring is fixed to the lower part of the inner wall of the soaking tube.

[0012] Furthermore, the inner wall of the funnel is provided with a plurality of guide strips, each of which is spirally distributed along the conical inner wall of the funnel.

[0013] Furthermore, an end cap is fixed to the top of the floating tube, and a rotating support is fixed to the end cap. The incomplete gear is rotatably connected to the rotating support.

[0014] Furthermore, the end cover is also provided with a fixing frame, the motor housing is fixed to the end cover by the fixing frame, and the motor output shaft is concentric with the rotation center of the rotating support.

[0015] Furthermore, a shock-absorbing pad is provided on the end of the rack away from the separating mechanism.

[0016] Furthermore, the outside of the floating platform is connected to multiple floats via multiple hooks and multiple ropes, and there are at least three floats.

[0017] Furthermore, filters can be detached from multiple openings of the outer tube.

[0018] The beneficial effects of the technical solution provided by the embodiments of this utility model are as follows: The marine microplastic separation device with different apertures of this utility model realizes the automated up-and-down reciprocating motion of the separation mechanism through the meshing transmission of incomplete gears and racks, combined with the reset function of the elastic element. It actively introduces seawater and performs screening, which improves the separation efficiency and automation level, reduces manual intervention, and ensures stable operation of the device in complex marine environments. Furthermore, the spiral guide strip design on the inner wall of the funnel makes the seawater form a vortex in the separation mechanism, which further enhances the separation effect of microplastics, while reducing the residue of microplastics in the device and improving the thoroughness of separation. In addition, the floating tube and soaking tube structure of the outer tube, as well as the design of the floating plate and float, enhance the buoyancy and stability of the device, ensuring that it can operate stably in the marine environment for a long time and adapt to different sea conditions. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural view of the marine microplastic separation device with different pore sizes according to this utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a partial three-dimensional view of the marine microplastic separation device with different pore sizes of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 3 This utility model relates to a marine microplastic separation device with different pore sizes. Figure 2 Structural side view;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a front view and a cross-sectional view at point AA of the separation mechanism of the marine microplastic separation device with different apertures of this utility model.

[0023] In the diagram: 1. Outer tube; 11. Floating tube; 12. Immersion tube; 13. Connecting rod; 14. Float; 15. End cap; 2. Separation mechanism; 21. Filter tube section; 22. Funnel section; 23. Guide bar; 24. Screen; 31. Motor; 32. Incomplete gear; 33. Rack; 34. Rotating support; 35. Fixing frame; 36. Shock-absorbing pad; 4. Elastic element; 41. Horizontal bar; 42. Fixing ring; 43. Spring; 5. Hook; 6. Hanging rope; 7. Float. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the embodiments of this utility model will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description presents a preferred embodiment of several possible embodiments of this utility model, intended to provide a basic understanding of the utility model, but not intended to identify the key or decisive elements of the utility model or to limit the scope of protection sought.

[0025] In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values.

[0026] Techniques, methods, and equipment known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and equipment should be considered part of the specification.

[0027] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be discussed further in subsequent figures. Also, it should be understood that, for ease of description, the dimensions of the various parts shown in the figures are not drawn to actual scale.

[0028] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the circuits, electronic components and modules involved in this utility model are all existing technologies, which can be fully implemented by those skilled in the art, and need not be elaborated. The content protected by this utility model does not involve any improvement to the internal structure and method.

[0029] It should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation" and "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0030] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4 The present invention provides a marine microplastic separation device with different pore sizes, including an outer tube 1, a separation mechanism 2, an elastic element 4, and a power unit.

[0031] The outer tube 1 has multiple openings on its surface for seawater to enter. The outer tube 1 includes a floating tube 11, an immersion tube 12, multiple connecting rods 13 and a floating plate 14. The floating tube 11 and the immersion tube 12 are connected by multiple connecting rods 13, and openings are formed between adjacent connecting rods 13 for seawater to enter the immersion tube 12.

[0032] In one embodiment, three links 13 are selected. In addition to providing connection support, the three links 13 can also assist in guiding the separation mechanism 2 to maintain vertical sliding.

[0033] The floating plate 14 is located outside the immersion tube 12 to make the floating tube 11 lie on the horizontal plane, wherein the immersion tube 12 is submerged in seawater, and seawater enters the immersion tube 12 through the opening between adjacent connecting rods 13, that is, the opening is flush with the horizontal plane.

[0034] In this embodiment, in order to improve the stability of the outer tube 1 floating on the sea surface and prevent it from capsizing, the outside of the float 14 is connected to multiple floats 7 by multiple hooks 5 and multiple ropes 6. There are at least three floats 7, which enhances the stability of the device in the water.

[0035] Meanwhile, in order to reduce the amount of marine debris entering the outer pipe 1 through the openings, filter screens can be removed from multiple openings of the outer pipe 1 to perform preliminary filtration of the incoming seawater and block larger impurities.

[0036] The separation mechanism 2 is a tube that runs vertically through the tube. It can be vertically slidably installed inside the outer tube 1 via the elastic element 4. The separation mechanism 2 includes a filter tube section 21, a funnel section 22 and multiple screens 24. The upper end of the funnel section 22 is connected to the filter tube section 21, and the funnel section 22 is slidably connected to the floating tube 11 and the soaking tube 12.

[0037] Furthermore, multiple screens 24 are equally spaced inside the filter tube section 21, and the aperture of the multiple screens 24 gradually decreases from top to bottom, which can separate microplastics of different particle sizes step by step.

[0038] In order to increase the speed at which seawater flows from the funnel section 22 into the filter tube section 21, multiple guide strips 23 are provided on the inner wall of the funnel section 22. Each guide strip 23 is spirally distributed along the conical inner wall of the funnel section 22, which can make the seawater form a swirling flow in the funnel section 22, which is beneficial for the separation and screening of microplastics.

[0039] The elastic element 4 includes a retaining ring 42 and two springs 43. Both sides of the filter tube 21 are connected to a spring 43 via a horizontal rod 41. The other ends of the two springs 43 are connected to the retaining ring 42. The retaining ring 42 is fixed to the lower part of the inner wall of the soaking tube 12.

[0040] When the separation mechanism 2 slides downward, the spring 43 is compressed. When the incomplete gear 32 disengages from the rack 33, the spring 43 rebounds, pushing the separation mechanism 2 to slide upward and reset.

[0041] Example 1: The power unit includes a motor 31, an incomplete gear 32, and a rack 33. The outer toothed portion of the incomplete gear 32 occupies 2 / 3 of the circumference of the incomplete gear 32. The incomplete gear 32 and the rack 33 have two contact states: meshing and non-contact.

[0042] The rack 33 is connected to the separation mechanism 2. The incomplete gear 32 meshes with the rack 33. The incomplete gear 32 is connected to the output end of the motor 31. The incomplete gear 32 rotates under the drive of the motor 31. The incomplete gear 32 meshes with the rack 33 through its toothed part, forcing the upper opening of the separation mechanism 2 to extend downward past the opening of the outer pipe 1, actively introducing seawater into the separation mechanism 2.

[0043] When the incomplete gear 32 disengages from the rack 33, the elastic element 4 pushes the separation mechanism 2 to slide upward and reset, completing one active seawater screening.

[0044] In order to reduce the force of the spring 43 pushing the rack 33 to hit the end cover 15 upward, a shock-absorbing pad 36 is provided on the end of the rack 33 away from the separation mechanism 2.

[0045] Example 2: The power unit also includes a reciprocating electric push rod and a push rod. The push rod is connected to the separation mechanism 2. The piston end of the electric push rod is connected to the push rod. The electric push rod pushes the push rod downward, and the push rod further pushes the upper opening of the separation mechanism 2 connected to it downward past the opening of the outer pipe 1, actively introducing seawater into the separation mechanism 2.

[0046] When the electric push rod retracts, the elastic element 4 pushes the separation mechanism 2 to slide upward and reset, completing one active seawater screening.

[0047] In this embodiment, an end cap 15 is fixed to the top of the floating tube 11, a rotating support 34 is fixed on the end cap 15, and a fixing frame 35 is also provided on the end cap 15. The housing of the motor 31 is fixed to the end cap 15 through the fixing frame 35, and the output shaft of the motor 31 is concentric with the rotation center of the rotating support 34, so as to improve the stability of the power device.

[0048] Since the power unit operates in the sea, it is an option to cover the power unit with a waterproof and anti-corrosion coating.

[0049] The working principle of this utility model is as follows: The drive motor 31 drives the incomplete gear 32 to rotate. When the toothed part of the incomplete gear 32 meshes with the rack 33, the rack 33 drives the separation mechanism 2 to slide downward. The upper opening of the separation mechanism 2 passes through the opening of the outer tube 1, actively introducing seawater into the separation mechanism 2. The seawater forms a swirling flow in the funnel part 22 and passes through multiple screens 24 with progressively smaller apertures, separating and collecting microplastics of different particle sizes step by step. When the incomplete gear 32 rotates to disengage from the rack 33, the elastic element 4 pushes the separation mechanism 2 to slide upward and reset, completing one active seawater sieving process. This cycle is repeated to achieve efficient separation and collection of marine microplastics.

[0050] In this document, the directional terms such as front, back, top, and bottom are defined based on the location of the components in the accompanying drawings and their relative positions to each other, solely for the purpose of clarity and convenience in expressing the technical solution. It should be understood that these are relative concepts and can vary depending on different methods of use and placement; the use of these directional terms should not limit the scope of protection claimed in this application.

[0051] Where there is no conflict, the above embodiments and features described herein can be combined with each other.

[0052] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. 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 marine microplastic separation device with different pore sizes, characterized in that, include: The outer tube (1) has multiple openings on its surface for seawater to enter; The separation mechanism (2) is a tube that runs vertically through the outside and can be vertically and movably installed inside the outer tube (1) via an elastic element (4); The device includes a motor (31), an incomplete gear (32), and a rack (33). The rack (33) is connected to the separation mechanism (2). The incomplete gear (32) meshes with the rack (33). The incomplete gear (32) is connected to the output end of the motor (31). The incomplete gear (32) rotates under the drive of the motor (31). The incomplete gear (32) meshes with the rack (33) through the toothed part of the incomplete gear (32), thereby forcing the upper opening of the separation mechanism (2) to extend downward past the opening of the outer tube (1) and actively introducing seawater into the separation mechanism (2). When the incomplete gear (32) disengages from the rack (33), the elastic element (4) pushes the separation mechanism (2) to slide upward and reset, completing one active screening of seawater.

2. The marine microplastic separation device with different pore sizes as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The outer tube (1) includes a floating tube (11), an immersion tube (12), multiple connecting rods (13) and a float (14). The floating tube (11) and the immersion tube (12) are connected by multiple connecting rods (13). An opening is formed between adjacent connecting rods (13) to allow seawater to enter the immersion tube (12). The float (14) is located outside the immersion tube (12) to make the floating tube (11) lie on a horizontal plane.

3. The marine microplastic separation device with different pore sizes as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The separation mechanism (2) includes a filter tube section (21), a funnel section (22), and a plurality of screens (24). The funnel section (22) is connected to the upper end of the filter tube section (21), and the funnel section (22) is slidably connected to the floating tube (11) and the soaking tube (12). The plurality of screens (24) are equally spaced inside the filter tube section (21), and the aperture of the plurality of screens (24) gradually decreases from top to bottom.

4. The marine microplastic separation device with different pore sizes as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The elastic element (4) includes a fixing ring (42) and two springs (43). Both sides of the filter tube (21) are connected to one of the springs (43) via a horizontal rod (41). The other ends of the two springs (43) are connected to the fixing ring (42). The fixing ring (42) is fixed to the lower part of the inner wall of the soaking tube (12).

5. The marine microplastic separation device with different pore sizes as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The funnel portion (22) has a plurality of guide strips (23) on its inner wall, and each guide strip (23) is spirally distributed along the conical inner wall of the funnel portion (22).

6. The marine microplastic separation device with different pore sizes as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The top of the floating tube (11) is fixed with an end cap (15), and a rotating support (34) is fixed on the end cap (15). The incomplete gear (32) is rotatably connected to the rotating support (34).

7. The marine microplastic separation device with different pore sizes as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The end cap (15) is also provided with a fixing frame (35), the outer shell of the motor (31) is fixed to the end cap (15) through the fixing frame (35), and the output shaft of the motor (31) is concentric with the rotation center of the rotating support (34).

8. The marine microplastic separation device with different pore sizes as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The rack (33) is provided with a shock-absorbing pad (36) at the end away from the separation mechanism (2).

9. The marine microplastic separation device with different pore sizes as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The outside of the floating platform (14) is connected to multiple floats (7) by multiple hooks (5) and multiple ropes (6), and there are at least three floats (7).

10. The marine microplastic separation device with different pore sizes as described in claim 2, characterized in that: Each of the multiple openings of the outer tube (1) can be fitted with a detachable filter screen.

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