A self-compacting continuous feeder

Abstract

This utility model relates to a self-compacting continuous feeder, belonging to the field of feeders. The technical solution is as follows: a self-compacting continuous feeder includes an auger cylinder with a spiral blade assembly inside. The auger cylinder has a downward-facing discharge port. An upper shell is also provided on the auger cylinder, located above the discharge port and higher than the upper sectional surface of the auger cylinder. A pressure plate is hinged to the upper shell, with the hinge axis between the pressure plate and the upper shell horizontal and perpendicular to the axial direction of the auger cylinder. The pressure plate hangs naturally, with its lower edge contacting the bottom of the inner cavity of the auger cylinder. This design features a movable baffle in front of the discharge port of the continuous feeder. When the baffle is in the lowered state, material accumulates in front of the baffle, gradually compacting. Continuing material will push the pressure plate open and fall out of the discharge port, making the amount of material per unit length at the feeder discharge port approximately uniform, thus making the feeding rate more stable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of feeders, and in particular to a self-compacting continuous feeder. Background Technology

[0002] A continuous feeder is a device that uses rotating spiral blades to push materials to achieve continuous feeding. It is mainly used for conveying granular materials and slurries in agriculture, food, chemical and other fields. Its specific structure mainly includes a cylindrical pipe shell with a spiral auger inside. The spiral auger is driven by a motor or other drive equipment to rotate inside the conveying pipe. When the material enters the pipe from the inlet, the rotation of the spiral auger blades pushes the material to move along the axial direction of the pipe. During the movement, the material is continuously fed out from the outlet, thus realizing the function of continuous feeding.

[0003] In the conveying process of a continuous feeder, the pipe casing is typically arranged horizontally or at a small angle. During conveying, a single-pitch blade can be divided into a receiving space. In each receiving space, material accumulates in the lower area of ​​the pipe casing under gravity, while the top has some space. Therefore, although the feeding process into the continuous feeder is continuous, the varying amount of material in each receiving space can cause flow fluctuations at discharge, hindering precise quantitative feeding. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention addresses the problem of unstable discharge flow rate in current continuous feeders by providing a self-compacting continuous feeder.

[0005] To solve the above problems, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows: a self-compacting continuous feeder, including an auger cylinder, a spiral blade assembly inside the auger cylinder, a downward-facing discharge port on the auger cylinder, and an upper shell on the auger cylinder. The upper shell is located above the discharge port and higher than the upper cross-section of the auger cylinder. A pressure plate is hinged in the upper shell, and the hinge axis between the pressure plate and the upper shell is horizontal and perpendicular to the axial direction of the auger cylinder. The pressure plate hangs down naturally, and its lower edge contacts the bottom of the inner cavity of the auger cylinder. The spiral blade assembly includes a blade shaft, and the blade shaft includes a light shaft section. The lower part of the pressure plate is provided with a receiving groove, the width of which is adapted to the diameter of the light shaft section. The light shaft section passes through the receiving groove along the material conveying direction, and the pressure plate is located in front of the discharge port. This solution features a movable pressure plate baffle in front of the discharge port of the continuous feeder. When in the lowered state, the baffle partially blocks the inner cavity of the auger cylinder, and the area corresponding to the optical axis section has no pushing effect. As a result, the material accumulates in front of the baffle and gradually compacts. When it is completely compacted, the material being conveyed will push the pressure plate open and fall out of the discharge port. By adding a compaction step before discharge, this solution makes the amount of material per unit length at the feeder discharge port nearly uniform, thereby making the feeding rate more stable.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment of a self-compacting continuous feeder, the pressure plate is tilted when hanging down, with its hinge axis located on the higher side and its lower edge closer to the discharge port relative to the hinge axis. This tilted design allows for more rational force distribution during material accumulation, accelerating material compaction. Simultaneously, the proximity of the lower edge to the discharge port shortens the material's path from accumulation to discharge, reducing material retention at the outlet and further ensuring continuous and uniform feeding. It also makes the opening and closing action of the pressure plate more sensitive, improving its adaptability to different material quantities.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of a self-compacting continuous feeder, the discharge port is located in the middle of the auger cylinder. The blade shaft further includes a first blade segment and a second blade segment, which are located at opposite ends of the optical axis section. A first helical blade is mounted on the outer periphery of the first blade segment, and a second helical blade is mounted on the outer periphery of the second blade segment. The first and second helical blades rotate in opposite directions. Providing a second blade segment with opposite rotation on the other side of the discharge port prevents the conveyed material from crossing the discharge port and accumulating at the other end of the auger cylinder.

[0008] As a preferred implementation of a self-compacting continuous feeder, the length of the upper shell is greater than the length of the discharge port along the longitudinal direction of the auger cylinder. An openable sight glass is provided on the top surface of the upper shell, located directly above the discharge port. The sight glass facilitates timely maintenance and adjustment, reduces downtime due to malfunctions, improves production efficiency, and allows observation of the internal condition without disassembling the equipment, thus reducing maintenance costs.

[0009] As a preferred implementation of a self-compacting continuous feeder, a counterweight assembly is installed at the lower part of the pressure plate. The counterweight assembly allows for flexible adjustment of the pressure plate's resistance, broadening the equipment's adaptability to different materials and ensuring ideal compaction and feeding uniformity when processing various materials.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of a self-compacting continuous feeder, both ends of the hinge shaft extend out of the upper housing. Bearing seats are installed on both sides of the outer surface of the upper housing, and both ends of the hinge shaft are mounted on these bearing seats via bearings. The bearings are located outside the upper housing, isolating the material and reducing contamination and wear. The bearings and bearing seats reduce wear on the hinge shaft, extending the equipment's service life. Simultaneously, they ensure the accuracy and stability of the pressure plate's movement, preventing uneven material accumulation or abnormal discharge due to jamming, thus improving the reliability of the equipment operation.

[0011] As a preferred implementation of a self-compacting continuous feeder, an angular displacement sensor is installed on the bearing housing or the upper housing. The angular displacement sensor is used to detect the rotation angle of the hinge shaft. The material accumulation and discharge speed can be determined based on the angle change, making the feed rate adjustment more precise and further improving the uniformity and stability of the feed.

[0012] As a preferred implementation of a self-compacting continuous feeder, the counterweight assembly includes a mounting post fixedly disposed on the upper surface of the pressure plate and at least one individual counterweight. Each individual counterweight has a through hole in its center and is fitted onto the mounting post. When there are multiple individual counterweights, they are stacked vertically. Operators can adjust the total weight of the pressure plate by increasing or decreasing the number of individual counterweights according to the characteristics of the material being conveyed. This allows for quick adaptation to the conveying needs of different materials, improving the flexibility and versatility of the equipment. Simultaneously, the stacked structure ensures the stability of the counterweight assembly, preventing loosening or falling during pressure plate movement and ensuring safe equipment operation.

[0013] As can be seen from the above technical solutions, the advantages of this utility model are:

[0014] This self-compacting continuous feeder solution adds a compaction step before discharge, making the amount of material per unit length at the feeder outlet nearly uniform, thus ensuring a more stable feeding rate. Its optimized implementation also brings several beneficial effects: the inclined pressure plate design allows for more reasonable force distribution on material accumulation, accelerating compaction, shortening the path of material from accumulation to discharge, reducing retention, ensuring continuous and uniform feeding, and making the pressure plate opening and closing more sensitive, improving adaptability to different material quantities; the discharge outlet is located in the middle of the auger cylinder with the two spiral blades rotating in opposite directions, preventing material from crossing the discharge outlet and accumulating at the other end; the sight glass on the upper shell facilitates timely maintenance and adjustment, reducing downtime, improving production efficiency, and allowing observation of the internal condition without disassembly, reducing maintenance costs; the counterweight assembly allows for flexible adjustment of the pressure plate. Resistance is reduced, broadening the equipment's adaptability to different materials and ensuring ideal compaction and feeding uniformity; bearings and bearing seats at both ends of the hinge shaft reduce wear on the hinge shaft, extending the equipment's service life, ensuring precise and stable platen movement, avoiding uneven material accumulation or abnormal discharge due to jamming, improving operational reliability, and the bearings outside the housing can isolate materials, reducing contamination and wear; angular displacement sensors can determine the amount of material accumulation and discharge speed based on angle changes, making feeding adjustment more precise, further improving feeding uniformity and stability; the modular counterweight block design allows operators to adjust the total weight of the platen according to material characteristics, quickly adapting to different conveying needs, improving equipment flexibility and versatility, and the stacked structure also ensures the stability of the counterweight block group, preventing loosening and falling, ensuring operational safety. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solution of this utility model, the drawings used in the description 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.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a front view structural diagram of a specific embodiment of the present utility model.

[0017] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Sectional view along the AA direction.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a top view of a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the counterweight assembly in a specific embodiment of this utility model.

[0020] Explanation of main figure symbols

[0021] 1. Screwdriver cylinder, 2. Discharge port, 3. Upper shell, 4. Pressure plate, 4-1. Receiving groove, 4-2. Hinge shaft, 5. Blade shaft, 5-1. Optical shaft section, 5-2. First blade segment, 5-3. Second blade segment, 6. First helical blade, 7. Second helical blade, 8. Sight glass, 9. Counterweight block assembly, 9-1. Mounting column, 9-2. Counterweight block unit, 10. Bearing seat, 11. Angular displacement sensor, 12. Feed port, 13. Drive motor, 14. Support. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To make the objectives, features, and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the specific embodiments. Obviously, the embodiments described below are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this patent, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this patent.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, a self-compacting continuous feeder includes an auger cylinder 1, which is a hollow cylindrical structure. Supports 14 for connecting external structures are provided at both ends of the cylinder. Along the material conveying direction (from front to back), a feeding port 12 is provided above the front end of the auger cylinder 1, and a discharge port 2 is provided at the rear middle part of the auger cylinder 1. A spiral blade assembly is provided inside the auger cylinder 1. The spiral blade assembly includes a blade shaft 5. One end of the blade shaft 5 is connected to a drive motor 13, which is located outside the auger cylinder 1.

[0024] In this design, the auger cylinder 1 is further provided with an upper shell 3, which is located above the discharge port 2 and higher than the upper sectional surface of the auger cylinder 1. Figure 2 As shown, in the area of ​​the discharge port 2, the auger cylinder 1 retains only the lower semi-circular cylinder wall, while the two ends of the semi-circle extend vertically upwards to form the two side walls of the upper shell 3. Front and rear side walls are provided between the two side walls and connected to the complete outer circumference of the auger cylinder 1, forming a rectangular frame structure. Finally, a top cover is installed on the top of this rectangular frame structure to form the upper shell 3. It can be seen that the inner cavity of the upper shell 3 is connected to the inner cavity of the auger cylinder 1 as a whole. In the length direction of the auger cylinder 1, the length of the upper shell 3 is greater than the length of the discharge port 2. The top surface of the upper shell 3 is provided with an openable sight glass 8, which is located directly above the discharge port 2. A pressure plate 4 is hinged in the upper shell 3. The hinge axis 4-2 between the pressure plate 4 and the upper shell 3 is horizontal and perpendicular to the axial direction of the auger cylinder 1. Specifically, refer to... Figure 1-3The two ends of the hinge shaft 4-2 extend out of the upper housing 3. Bearing seats 10 are respectively installed on the two outer sides of the upper housing 3. The two ends of the hinge shaft 4-2 are respectively mounted on the bearing seats 10 via bearings. An angular displacement sensor 11 is installed at one end of the hinge shaft 4-2, on the bearing seat 10 or on the upper housing 3. The angular displacement sensor 11 is used to detect the rotation angle of the hinge shaft 4-2. The pressure plate 4 hangs naturally through the hinge shaft 4-2, and its lower edge contacts the bottom of the inner cavity of the auger cylinder 1.

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, along the front-to-back direction, the blade shaft 5 includes a first blade segment 5-2, an optical axis segment 5-1, and a second blade segment 5-3. The first blade segment 5-2 and the second blade segment 5-3 are located at the front and rear ends of the optical axis segment, respectively. A first helical blade 6 is installed on the outer periphery of the first blade segment 5-2, and a second helical blade 7 is installed on the outer periphery of the second blade segment 5-3. The optical axis segment 5-1, i.e., without helical blades on its outer periphery, only has the blade shaft 5 itself. The optical axis segment 5-1 is located in the area where the discharge port 2 is located. Figure 2 As shown, the lower part of the pressure plate 4 is provided with a receiving groove 4-1. The width of the receiving groove 4-1 is adapted to the diameter of the optical axis section 5-1. The optical axis section 5-1 passes through the receiving groove 4-1. Along the material conveying direction, the pressure plate 4 is located in front of the discharge port 2. Furthermore, the pressure plate 4 is in an inclined state when it is hanging down. The hinge shaft 4-2 of the pressure plate 4 is located on the high side of the pressure plate 4, and the lower edge of the pressure plate 4 is close to the discharge port 2 relative to the hinge shaft 4-2. The first spiral blade 6 and the second spiral blade 7 rotate in opposite directions. That is, if the conveyed material crosses the discharge port and enters the rear end of the auger cylinder, the second spiral blade 7 can push this part of the material back to the discharge port.

[0026] The working principle of this feeder is as follows: the first spiral blade 6 conveys material towards the discharge port 2. When the material enters the area of ​​the optical shaft section 5-1, it loses its driving force and is blocked by the pressure plate 4, thus accumulating and gradually filling this part of the inner cavity of the auger cylinder 1 (although there is a receiving groove at the bottom of the pressure plate 4, under the action of the material accumulation angle, some of the material passing through the receiving groove will block the receiving groove, and the accumulated material will not flow out of the receiving groove continuously). After the inner cavity is filled, the material that continues to be conveyed pushes the pressure plate 4 up, thus flowing out from the discharge port 2. Through this compaction process, the amount of material per unit length inside the auger cylinder 1 is stabilized, thereby making the feeder's discharge speed more uniform.

[0027] Furthermore, in order to adjust the opening of the pressure plate 4, a counterweight block group 9 is installed at the lower part of the pressure plate 4, such as... Figure 4As shown, the counterweight block group 9 includes a mounting post 9-1 fixedly disposed on the upper surface of the pressure plate 4 and at least one counterweight block unit 9-2. The counterweight block unit 9-2 has a through hole in the center and is fitted onto the mounting post 9-1. When there are multiple counterweight block units 9-2, the multiple counterweight block units 9-2 are stacked up and down. By adjusting the number of counterweight block units, the amplitude of the pressure plate 4 being lifted under the same thrust can be changed, thereby adjusting the feeding flow rate.

[0028] As can be seen from the above embodiments, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: the self-compacting continuous feeder of this solution, by adding a compaction step before discharge, makes the amount of material per unit length at the feeder outlet nearly uniform, thereby making the feeding rate more stable; its preferred implementation also brings many beneficial effects: the inclined setting of the pressure plate makes the material accumulation force more reasonable, accelerates the compaction speed, shortens the path of material from accumulation to discharge, reduces stagnation, ensures the continuity and uniformity of feeding, and also makes the opening and closing of the pressure plate more sensitive, improving the adaptability to different material amounts; the discharge port is located in the middle of the auger cylinder and the spiral blades on both sides rotate in opposite directions, which can prevent material from crossing the discharge port and accumulating at the other end; the sight glass of the upper shell facilitates timely maintenance and adjustment, reduces downtime, improves production efficiency, and allows observation of the internal condition without disassembly, reducing maintenance costs. The counterweight assembly allows for flexible adjustment of the pressure plate resistance, broadening the equipment's adaptability to different materials and ensuring ideal compaction and feeding uniformity. The bearings and bearing seats at both ends of the hinge shaft reduce wear, extend equipment lifespan, ensure precise and stable pressure plate movement, prevent uneven material accumulation or abnormal discharge due to jamming, and improve operational reliability. Furthermore, the bearings' external location isolates the material from the housing, reducing contamination and wear. An angular displacement sensor determines material accumulation and discharge speed based on angle changes, enabling more precise feeding adjustment and further improving feeding uniformity and stability. The modular counterweight assembly design allows operators to adjust the total weight of the pressure plate according to material characteristics, quickly adapting to different conveying needs and improving equipment flexibility and versatility. The stacked structure also ensures the stability of the counterweight assembly, preventing loosening and falling, and ensuring operational safety.

[0029] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A self-compacting continuous feeder, comprising an auger cylinder (1), wherein the auger cylinder (1) is provided with a spiral blade assembly inside, and the auger cylinder (1) has a downward-facing discharge port (2), characterized in that, The auger cylinder (1) is also provided with an upper shell (3). The upper shell (3) is located above the discharge port (2) and higher than the upper cross surface of the auger cylinder (1). A pressure plate (4) is hinged in the upper shell (3). The hinge shaft (4-2) between the pressure plate (4) and the upper shell (3) is horizontal and perpendicular to the axial direction of the auger cylinder (1). The pressure plate (4) hangs down naturally and its lower edge contacts the bottom of the inner cavity of the auger cylinder (1). The spiral blade assembly includes a blade shaft (5). The blade shaft (5) includes a light shaft section (5-1). The lower part of the pressure plate (4) is provided with a receiving groove (4-1). The width of the receiving groove (4-1) is adapted to the diameter of the light shaft section (5-1). The light shaft section (5-1) passes through the receiving groove (4-1) along the material conveying direction. The pressure plate (4) is located in front of the discharge port (2).

2. The self-compacting continuous feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the pressure plate (4) is in a drooping state, it is in an inclined state. The hinge shaft (4-2) of the pressure plate (4) is located on the high side of the pressure plate (4). The lower edge of the pressure plate (4) is close to the discharge port (2) relative to the hinge shaft (4-2).

3. The self-compacting continuous feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that, The discharge port (2) is located in the middle of the auger cylinder (1). The blade shaft (5) also includes a first blade segment (5-2) and a second blade segment (5-3). The first blade segment (5-2) and the second blade segment (5-3) are located at the two ends of the optical axis section, respectively. A first spiral blade (6) is installed on the outer periphery of the first blade segment (5-2), and a second spiral blade (7) is installed on the outer periphery of the second blade segment (5-3). The first spiral blade (6) and the second spiral blade (7) have opposite rotation directions.

4. The self-compacting continuous feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the length direction of the auger cylinder (1), the length of the upper shell (3) is greater than the length of the discharge port (2), and the top surface of the upper shell (3) is provided with an openable sight glass (8), which is located directly above the discharge port (2).

5. The self-compacting continuous feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that, A counterweight assembly (9) is installed at the lower part of the pressure plate (4).

6. The self-compacting continuous feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two ends of the hinge shaft (4-2) protrude from the upper housing (3). Bearing seats (10) are respectively installed on the two sides of the outer side of the upper housing (3). The two ends of the hinge shaft (4-2) are respectively mounted on the bearing seats (10) through bearings.

7. The self-compacting continuous feeder according to claim 6, characterized in that, An angular displacement sensor (11) is installed on the bearing seat (10) or the upper housing (3), and the angular displacement sensor (11) is used to detect the rotation angle of the hinge shaft (4-2).

8. The self-compacting continuous feeder according to claim 5, characterized in that, The counterweight assembly (9) includes a mounting post (9-1) fixedly disposed on the upper surface of the pressure plate (4) and at least one counterweight unit (9-2). The counterweight unit (9-2) has a through hole in the center and is fitted onto the mounting post (9-1). When there are multiple counterweight units (9-2), the multiple counterweight units (9-2) are stacked up and down.

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