Cat litter granulator hopper anti-blocking structure
By using a vibration module with an irregular outer surface and flexible connectors in the hopper of the cat litter granulator, the problem of material blockage is solved, achieving efficient anti-blocking and extended equipment life.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NANJING CHONGLEDUO BIOTECHNOLOGY CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-03
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-02
AI Technical Summary
Existing cat litter granulator hoppers are prone to forming arch bridge structures during material conveying, leading to blockages, and existing anti-blockage measures are not very effective.
By employing a vibration module and vibration motor with an irregular outer surface, combined with flexible connectors, the irregular outer surface and vibration force disrupt the horizontal accumulation of materials, and the flexible connectors mechanically peel off the adhering materials to achieve anti-clogging.
It effectively prevents materials from forming static accumulation in the hopper, improves anti-clogging performance, reduces vibration energy loss, and extends equipment service life.
Smart Images
Figure CN224308350U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of cat litter production technology, specifically to an anti-clogging structure for the hopper of a cat litter granulator. Background Technology
[0002] In the cat litter production process, materials need to be conveyed to the hopper of the pelletizer to complete the pelletizing process. When the material falls from the hopper, the particles at the outlet move downwards due to gravity, while the particles above form a horizontal supporting force due to the friction effect and cohesion between the particles. This eventually forms an "arch bridge" structure in the hopper, causing the material conveying to be interrupted and resulting in a blockage.
[0003] To overcome this technical challenge, the current mainstream solution involves installing a vibratory motor on the hopper shell and placing an upward-pointing cone inside the hopper. This design alters the material flow path through the cone, achieving dispersion and guidance, while the vibratory motor provides external force assistance, thereby preventing blockages.
[0004] However, existing technologies have significant limitations. Because the surface of the cone is generally smooth, it can only guide the material down the cone surface using the component of gravity, lacking the ability to effectively disturb the material's movement in three-dimensional space. This makes it extremely easy for material particles to form a static accumulation surface in the horizontal direction, especially a ring-shaped retention layer around the cone, making it impossible to fundamentally solve the material accumulation problem and ultimately resulting in the inability to meet production requirements in terms of material blockage prevention efficiency. Utility Model Content
[0005] To address the aforementioned technical shortcomings, the purpose of this utility model is to provide an anti-clogging structure for the hopper of a cat litter granulator, thereby solving the problem of low anti-clogging efficiency caused by the inability to effectively resolve material accumulation in existing technologies.
[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: The present invention provides an anti-clogging structure for a cat litter granulator hopper, comprising: a hopper having an inlet and an outlet; a vibration module fixed inside the hopper by a third fixing member, wherein the third fixing member and the inner wall of the hopper are connected by a flexible connector; wherein the vibration module includes a shell with a cavity and a vibration motor disposed inside the cavity, and the shell has an irregular outer surface.
[0007] Optionally, the outer periphery of the outer shell has a fourth intersection line in the middle, and a third intersection line, a second intersection line and a first intersection line are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the fourth intersection line along the surface of the outer shell. Adjacent intersection lines extend to each other and form a fourth vibration surface, a third vibration surface, a second vibration surface and a first vibration surface, respectively.
[0008] Optionally, the fourth, third, second, and first intersection lines are each provided with a plurality of side lines, and the side lines of two adjacent intersection lines extend into each other to form the fourth, third, second, and first vibration surfaces, respectively.
[0009] Optionally, the corners of the edges have corner points, and one of the corner points of the intersection lines extends to points on the edge lines of an adjacent intersection line, thereby forming a fourth vibration surface, a third vibration surface, a second vibration surface, and a first vibration surface, respectively.
[0010] Optionally, the cavity is provided with a plurality of first fixing members, which are respectively fixedly connected to the vibration motor and the inner wall of the cavity, and respectively form a first vibration position and a second vibration position.
[0011] Optionally, the cavity is further provided with a plurality of second fixing members, which are fixedly connected to the first fixing member and the inner wall of the cavity respectively, and respectively form a vibration transmission position and a third vibration position.
[0012] Optionally, the flexible connector is a chain or a wire rope.
[0013] Optionally, the third fixing member is provided with an inclined side facing the feed inlet.
[0014] Optionally, vibration reinforcing ribs are fixed on the outer surface of the hopper at the position corresponding to the vibration module.
[0015] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:
[0016] The vibration module of this invention includes a shell with an irregular outer surface (the irregularity here refers to the shell being composed of several parts, each with its own shape, and the shell formed by their combination is a non-standard shape, such as square, round, or cylindrical). This irregular outer surface of the shell contacts the material, forming a discontinuous contact surface (i.e., when several materials move in a straight line, the contact surfaces formed by their impact on the shell are not on the same plane). This causes the material to continuously change its contact angle during its descent, preventing the formation of a stable adhesion interface. Simultaneously, in conjunction with the vibration of the vibration motor inside the shell, when the material contacts the inclined surface, the different angles of the inclined surface convert the vibration energy into upward, downward, and lateral three-dimensional impact forces, forcing the particles to break away from their original accumulation trajectory, disrupting the static equilibrium in the horizontal direction, making it less likely for the material to accumulate, thereby improving the anti-clogging performance.
[0017] Then, the present invention installs a vibration motor inside the outer shell. Compared with the prior art, which installs a vibration motor outside the hopper, the vibration force provided by the vibration motor of the present invention can be directly transmitted to the outer surface through the irregular block structure and directly act on the inside of the material, thereby reducing the vibration attenuation from the outer shell to the cone in the traditional solution.
[0018] Furthermore, this utility model also provides a flexible connector between the vibration module and the hopper. The flexible connector is a vibration accessory that forms a rigid-flexible coupling vibration mode with the rigid irregular vibration block. When the flexible connector vibrates at high frequency with the vibration block, it periodically collides with the inner wall of the hopper, generating a mechanical peeling force on the material adhering to the wall surface, thereby causing it to fall off and avoiding material accumulation and blockage caused by the material adhering to the wall surface.
[0019] Finally, this utility model also fixes the vibration motor in the cavity through the first fixing member and the second fixing member, and forms the first vibration position, the second vibration position and the third vibration position respectively. Through the above three vibration positions, the vibration of the vibration motor is evenly transmitted to all parts of the shell, avoiding the problem of weakening of vibration force in other parts due to local vibration stress concentration, and also effectively protecting the service life of the shell. Attached Figure Description
[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the anti-clogging structure of the hopper of a cat litter granulator according to the present invention.
[0022] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an anti-clogging structure for the hopper of a cat litter granulator according to the present invention.
[0023] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of a vibration module for an anti-clogging structure of a cat litter granulator hopper according to the present invention.
[0024] Figure 4 This is a front view of the vibration module of the anti-clogging structure of the hopper of a cat litter granulator according to this utility model.
[0025] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the vibration module of the anti-clogging structure of the hopper of a cat litter granulator according to this utility model.
[0026] Figure 6 This utility model relates to an anti-clogging structure for the hopper of a cat litter granulator. Figure 4 The diagram shows cross-sectional views at points AA, BB, CC, and DD.
[0027] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:
[0028] 1. Hopper; 11. Feed inlet; 12. Discharge outlet; 13. Vibration reinforcing rib; 2. Vibration module; 21. Outer shell; 211. Cavity; 212. First vibration surface; 213. Second vibration surface; 214. Third vibration surface; 215. Fourth vibration surface; 216. First intersection line; 217. Second intersection line; 218. Third intersection line; 219. Fourth intersection line; 22. Vibration motor; 221. First fixing component; 222. Second fixing component; 3. Third fixing component; 31. Bevel; 4. Flexible connector. Detailed Implementation
[0029] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.
[0030] As mentioned earlier, existing anti-clogging mechanisms in cat litter granulators typically employ a vibratory motor mounted on the hopper shell and an upward-pointing cone inside the hopper to address clogging issues. However, this design has a drawback: because the cone surface is generally smooth, it only utilizes gravity to guide the material down the cone surface, lacking effective disturbance capabilities for the material's movement in three-dimensional space. This makes it extremely easy for material particles to form a static accumulation surface in the horizontal direction, especially a ring-shaped retention layer around the cone, thus failing to fundamentally solve the material accumulation problem and ultimately resulting in clogging prevention efficiency that cannot meet production requirements.
[0031] To address this issue, this invention provides an anti-clogging structure for a hopper, solving the problem of low anti-clogging efficiency in cat litter production by addressing the granulation process. This invention achieves this solution through the following methods.
[0032] Example 1:
[0033] Please refer to the instruction manual appendix. Figures 1 to 4As shown in the figure, this embodiment provides an anti-clogging structure for the hopper of a cat litter granulator. This structure includes at least a hopper 1, a vibration module 2, and a flexible connector 4. The hopper 1 has an inlet 11 and an outlet 12. The inlet 11 is connected to the outlet of a feeding mechanism (e.g., a feeder, conveyor belt) to receive the raw materials for cat litter production. The outlet 12 is connected to a conveyor auger to transport the raw materials from the hopper 1. The vibration module 2 includes a housing 21 with a cavity 211 and a vibration motor 22 disposed within the cavity 211. The housing 21 has an irregular surface (the definition of an irregular surface has been detailed above and will not be repeated here). The housing 21 is also fixed inside the hopper 1 by a third fixing member 3. The third fixing member 3 has a bevel 31 facing the inlet 11, preventing material falling onto the bevel 31 from accumulating thereon.
[0034] In this first embodiment, as Figure 3 or Figure 4 As shown, the aforementioned outer shell 21 is a shell arranged symmetrically from top to bottom, and is divided into eight parts with its central part as the line of symmetry. These eight parts are divided into four parts corresponding to each other at the top and bottom, extending from the central part to the upper and lower ends, respectively, namely the fourth vibration surface 215, the third vibration surface 214, the second vibration surface 213, and the first vibration surface 212. Among them, the intersection line of the two fourth vibration surfaces 215 is the fourth intersection line 219, the intersection line of the fourth vibration surface 215 and the third vibration surface 214 is the third intersection line 218, the intersection line of the third vibration surface 214 and the second vibration surface 213 is the second intersection line 217, and the intersection line of the second vibration surface 213 and the first vibration surface 212 is the first intersection line 216.
[0035] Furthermore, in this first embodiment, as Figure 3 or Figure 4 As shown, the fourth intersection line 219, the third intersection line 218, the second intersection line 217, and the first intersection line 216 each have several edge lines. The corners of these edge lines have corner points. All the edge lines and corner points together form the intersection line at their respective locations, as shown below. Figure 6As shown, the cross-section of the first intersection line 216 is a square, therefore it has four sides and four corner points. The second intersection line 217, the third intersection line 218, and the fourth intersection line 219 are respectively a regular square, a regular hexagon, and a regular octagon (the corner pads of these regular squares, hexagons, and octagons all have chamfered edges). Therefore, the second intersection line 217, the third intersection line 218, and the fourth intersection line 219 have four sides and four corner points, six sides and six corner points, and eight sides and eight corner points, respectively. The corner point of one of the intersection points of two adjacent intersection lines extends to points on the edge of the adjacent intersection line (for example, extending from one of the eight corner points of the fourth intersection line 219 to all points on the six edges of the third intersection line 218). Since a line is composed of countless points, this extension can be seen as countless line segments radiating from a certain point to the corresponding line, converging to form a surface, thus forming the fourth vibration surface 215, the third vibration surface 214, the second vibration surface 213, and the first vibration surface 212. Different points are located in different orientations, thus forming an irregular inclined surface. All the irregular inclined surfaces are combined to form the shell 21 with an irregular outer surface.
[0036] Example 2:
[0037] Based on the above embodiments, in order to provide a clearer and more complete explanation of the technical solutions therein, this utility model also includes an embodiment two. For example... Figure 5 As shown, in this second embodiment, the cavity 211 is provided with a plurality of first fixing members 221. The first fixing members 221 are fixedly connected to the vibration motor 22 and the inner wall of the cavity 211, respectively forming a first vibration position and a second vibration position. The cavity 211 is also provided with a plurality of second fixing members 222. The second fixing members 222 are fixedly connected to the first fixing members 221 and the inner wall of the cavity 211, respectively forming a vibration transmission position and a third vibration position. Vibration reinforcing ribs 13 are fixed on the outer surface of the hopper 1 at the position corresponding to the vibration module 2.
[0038] Therefore, when the vibration motor 22 is powered on, it will drive the first fixing member 221 and the second fixing member 222 to vibrate. The first fixing member 221 and the second fixing member 222 will evenly transmit the vibration force to all parts of the outer shell 21 through the first vibration position, the second vibration position and the third vibration position, thereby causing the outer shell 21 to vibrate and transmit the vibration force to the accumulated raw materials. Finally, the raw materials are dispersed and fall due to the vibration force, thus achieving anti-blocking.
[0039] Example 3:
[0040] Based on the above embodiments, in order to provide a clearer and more complete explanation of the technical solutions therein, this utility model also provides an embodiment three, such as... Figure 1 or Figure 2 As shown, in this third embodiment, the third fixing member 3 and the inner wall of the hopper 1 are connected by a flexible connector 4. The flexible connector 4 is a chain or wire rope. When the third fixing member 3 vibrates with the vibration module 2, the vibration force is transmitted to the flexible connector 4, causing the flexible connector 4 to undergo slight displacement and slight tapping on the side wall of the hopper 1. The slight displacement and tapping can vibrate or knock off the material attached to the side wall of the hopper 1, thereby preventing the hopper 1 from clogging.
[0041] In summary, the anti-clogging structure for the hopper of a cat litter granulator and its various embodiments of this utility model, compared with the prior art, have the following advantages, including but not limited to:
[0042] The vibration module 2 of this invention includes a shell 21 with an irregular outer surface. This irregular outer surface of the shell 21 contacts the material, forming a discontinuous contact surface. This causes the material to continuously change its contact angle during its descent, preventing the formation of a stable adhesion interface. Simultaneously, in conjunction with the vibration of the vibration motor 22 inside the shell 21, when the material contacts the inclined surface at different angles, the vibration energy is converted into upward, downward, and lateral three-dimensional impact forces. This forces the particles to break away from their original accumulation track, disrupting the static equilibrium in the horizontal direction, making it less likely for the material to accumulate, thereby improving the anti-clogging performance.
[0043] Then, the present invention installs a vibration motor 22 inside the outer shell 21. Compared with the prior art, which installs the vibration motor 22 outside the hopper 1, the vibration force provided by the vibration motor 22 of the present invention can be directly transmitted to the outer surface through the irregular block structure and directly act on the inside of the material, thereby reducing the vibration attenuation from the outer shell 21 to the cone in the traditional solution.
[0044] Furthermore, this utility model also provides a flexible connector 4 between the vibration module 2 and the hopper 1. The flexible connector 4 is a vibration accessory that forms a rigid-flexible coupling vibration mode with the rigid irregular vibration block (i.e., the outer shell 21). When the flexible connector 4 vibrates at high frequency with the vibration block, it periodically collides with the inner wall of the hopper 1, generating a mechanical peeling force on the material adhering to the wall surface, thereby causing it to fall off and avoiding material accumulation and blockage caused by the material adhering to the wall surface.
[0045] Finally, the present invention also fixes the vibration motor 22 in the cavity 211 by the first fixing member 221 and the second fixing member 222, and forms the first vibration position, the second vibration position and the third vibration position respectively. The vibration of the vibration motor 22 is evenly transmitted to all parts of the outer shell 21 through the above three vibration positions, avoiding the problem of weakening of vibration force in other parts due to local vibration stress concentration, and also effectively protecting the service life of the outer shell 21.
[0046] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this utility model without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, if these modifications and variations fall within the scope of this utility model and its equivalents, this utility model also intends to include these modifications and variations.
Claims
1. A clogging prevention structure for a cat litter granulator hopper, wherein the hopper (1) has an inlet (11) and an outlet (12), characterized in that, include: Vibration module (2), the vibration module (2) is fixed inside the hopper (1) by a third fixing member (3), and the third fixing member (3) and the inner wall of the hopper (1) are connected by a flexible connector (4); The vibration module (2) includes a housing (21) with a cavity (211) and a vibration motor (22) disposed in the cavity (211). The housing (21) has an irregular outer surface.
2. The anti-clogging structure for the hopper of a cat litter granulator as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The outer periphery of the outer shell (21) has a fourth intersection line (219) in the middle. The third intersection line (218), the second intersection line (217) and the first intersection line (216) are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the surface of the outer shell (21). The two adjacent intersection lines extend to each other and form a fourth vibration surface (215), a third vibration surface (214), a second vibration surface (213) and a first vibration surface (212) respectively.
3. The anti-clogging structure for the hopper of a cat litter granulator as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The fourth intersection line (219), the third intersection line (218), the second intersection line (217) and the first intersection line (216) are each provided with several edge lines. The edge lines of two adjacent intersection lines extend to each other and form the fourth vibration surface (215), the third vibration surface (214), the second vibration surface (213) and the first vibration surface (212) respectively.
4. The anti-clogging structure for the hopper of a cat litter granulator as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The corners of the edges have corner points, and one of the corner points of the intersection lines extends to each point on the edge of the adjacent intersection line, thereby forming the fourth vibration surface (215), the third vibration surface (214), the second vibration surface (213), and the first vibration surface (212), respectively.
5. The anti-clogging structure for the hopper of a cat litter granulator as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The cavity (211) is provided with a plurality of first fixing members (221), which are fixedly connected to the vibration motor (22) and the inner wall of the cavity (211) respectively, and form a first vibration position and a second vibration position respectively.
6. The anti-clogging structure for the hopper of a cat litter granulator as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The cavity (211) is also provided with a number of second fixing members (222), which are fixedly connected to the first fixing member (221) and the inner wall of the cavity (211) respectively, and form a vibration transmission position and a third vibration position respectively.
7. The anti-clogging structure for the hopper of a cat litter granulator as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible connector (4) is a chain or a wire rope.
8. The anti-clogging structure for the hopper of a cat litter granulator as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The third fixing member (3) is provided with a bevel (31) facing the feed inlet (11).
9. The anti-clogging structure for the hopper of a cat litter granulator as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Vibration reinforcing ribs (13) are fixed on the outer surface of the hopper (1) at the position corresponding to the vibration module (2).