Industrial seed-milling machine and retrofit assembly for an industrial seed-milling machine

Abstract

The invention relates to an industrial seed-milling machine (10), comprising an inlet unit (12) configured to receive a seed to be milled, a processing unit (14) configured to mill the seed, and an output unit (16) configured to release a milled seed. The processing unit (14) has a rotor (22) with an outer grinding side (24) and a cylindrically shaped sieving unit (26) which encompasses the rotor (22). The sieving unit (26) has an inner side (30) and an outer side (34) with an outer surface (36). The processing unit (14) has at least one automatic cleaning unit (38) that comprises at least one cleaning element (42) which in an operational mode of the seed-milling machine (10) is in contact with the sieving unit (26). The at least one cleaning element (42) is configured to move relatively to the sieving unit (26), thereby automatically removing milling residues from the sieving unit (26).

Description

[0001] Industrial seed-milling machine and retrofit assembly for an industrial seedmilling machine

[0002] The invention relates to an industrial seed-milling machine as well as a retrofit assembly for an industrial seed-milling machine.

[0003] In the state of the art, industrial seed-milling machines are known for different purposes. For instance, a seed-milling machine is used for whitening rice by removing the outer layer of the rice, which is called bran. Hence, the bran corresponds to milling residues in the milling process. Those seed-milling machines are also called rice Whiteners, as the bran typically has a darker color compared to the rice grain such that the rice is whitened once the bran has been removed. Actually, it is necessary to remove the bran, as the bran contains vitamins, minerals and oils which drastically reduce the shelf life of the rice if not removed.

[0004] The industrial seed-milling machines are typically based on an abrasive mechanism to remove the milling residues, e.g. the bran.

[0005] The industrial seed-milling machines typically comprise a rotor having an outer grinding side, for instance a stone, as well as a sieving unit for sieving the milled seed and the milling residues. The seed to be milled is put between the rotor and the sieving unit such that the seed is milled in an abrasive manner. Accordingly, three different types of abrasion occur, namely abrasion due to contact of seed with seed, contact of seed with the grinding side of the rotor and / or contact of seed with the sieving unit.

[0006] In case of rice being milled by means of the industrial seed-milling machines, the bran is removed in a mechanical manner, wherein the removed bran is forwarded through slots or rather openings within the sieving unit such that the milled seed, namely the whitened rice, is sieved. Temporary, the whitened rice remains between the rotor and the sieving unit, whereas the milling residues, namely the bran, is discharged via the sieving unit.

[0007] During the milling process, the sieving unit, particularly the openings and / or slots, gets chocked frequently due to accumulation of the milling residues, which reduces the overall efficiency of the industrial seed-milling machine, as a frequent manual cleaning is required to remove the accumulated milling residues. The efficiency is reduced due to the fact that the seed-milling machine has to be stopped for cleaning purposes, also called machine idle time, in order to allow for cleaning the sieving unit.

[0008] Accordingly, there is a need for increasing the machine performance, particularly its efficiency.

[0009] The invention provides an industrial seed-milling machine that comprises an inlet unit configured to receive a seed to be milled, for instance rice. The industrial seed-milling machine also comprises a processing unit configured to mill the seed, thereby generating a milled seed. Further, the industrial seed-milling machine has an output unit configured to release the milled seed, namely the seed processed previously by the processing unit. The processing unit is arranged between the input unit and the output unit, wherein the processing unit comprises a rotor with an outer grinding side and a cylindrically shaped sieving unit that encompasses the rotor. The sieving unit has an inner side and an outer side with an outer surface. The inner side and the grinding side of the rotor are opposing each other such that an annular milling region is formed between the sieving unit and the rotor. The processing unit further comprises a housing that encompasses the rotor and the sieving unit such that the rotor and the sieving unit are shielded from the surrounding by the housing. The processing unit has at least one automatic cleaning unit that comprises at least one cleaning element which, in an operational mode of the seed-milling machine, is in contact with the sieving unit, particularly the outer surface of the sieving unit. The at least one cleaning element is configured to move relatively to the sieving unit, thereby automatically removing milling residues from the sieving unit, particularly the outer surface of the sieving unit.

[0010] The main idea of the invention is to automatically clean the sieving unit during the operation of the seed-milling machine such that the machine idle times can be reduced (significantly), thereby increasing the overall performance of the seedmilling machine, namely its efficiency. The at least one automatic cleaning unit ensures that the sieving unit, particularly the outer surface of the sieving unit, is cleaned continuously by means of the at least one cleaning element that is in contact with the sieving unit, particularly its outer surface. Hence, the seed-milling machine does not have to be stopped for cleaning purposes as frequent as it is done in the state of the art. Currently, the seed-milling machine has to be stopped every four to six hours for being cleaned manually. Put differently, the idle times (for maintenance) of the seed-milling machine are reduced and / or the operational times of the seed-milling machine are increased, thereby increasing the productivity of the seed-milling machine in total. As indicated above, the cleaning is done automatically during the operation of the seed-milling machine such that costs can be reduced additionally.

[0011] Furthermore, the lifetime of the sieving unit is increased due to the fact that the sieving unit is continuously maintained in a clean state.

[0012] An aspect provides that the at least one cleaning element is selected from the group consisting of mitter curtain, rag, feather duster, brush and combinations thereof. Particularly, the outer automatic removal of the milling residues is based on at least one dry cleaning technique which is selected from the group consisting of wiping, brushing, polishing, sweeping and combinations thereof. Hence, a mechanical removal of the milling residues takes place wherein the cleaning element can be selected depending on the kind of seed to be milled, particularly the characteristics of the milling residues. In case of rice to be milled, a brush may be used for removing the milling residues, namely the bran. In case of other seed to be milled by the industrial seed-milling machine, a different kind of cleaning element may be used, for instance a rag or a feather duster.

[0013] In a specific embodiment, the at least one cleaning element is a brush that comprises a cylindrical, longitudinal shaft body on which a plurality of bristles are disposed. Particularly, the shaft body, in the operational mode of the seed-milling machine, is aligned parallel to a rotation axis of the rotor. Therefore, the bristles of the brush, particularly their tips, are in contact with the sieving unit for removing the milling residues accumulated at the sieving unit. In fact, the tips of the bristles brush along the respective surface of the sieving unit, particularly the outer surface of the sieving unit, in order to remove any milling residues that have accumulated due to the processing of the seed.

[0014] As indicated above, the automatic cleaning unit mechanically cleans the sieving unit by removing the milling residues accumulated. The (substantially) parallel alignment of the shaft body with respect to the rotation axis of the rotor ensures that (almost) all bristles of the brush are in contact with the respective surface of the sieving unit, thereby maximizing the cleaning area, namely the area of the sieving unit that is mechanically cleaned.

[0015] Another aspect provides that in the operational mode of the seed-milling machine, a self-rotation of the at least one brush is exclusively driven by a frictioncontact between the brush and the sieving unit, particularly the outer surface of the sieving unit. Thus, the brush itself is not driven to rotate about its own rotation axis. In fact, the self-rotation is induced due to the friction-contact between the brush and the respective surface of the sieving unit, which is brushed by means of the brush. The self-rotation ensures that the bristles are worn off in a homogenous manner, as all bristles are contacting the respective surface due to the self-rotation. Therefore, the lifetime of the brush can be maximized which extends the lifetime of the automatic cleaning unit in total. Put differently, idle times of the automatic cleaning unit can be reduced or rather minimized.

[0016] Further, the cleaning unit may comprise a rack with a horizontal base, wherein the brush is freely rotatable suspended at the rack, thereby enabling the brush to act as a roller brush. The self-rotation is enabled due to the fact that the brush is suspended in the freely rotatable manner at the rack, particularly hinged. Further, the rack stabilizes the alignment of the brush with respect to the sieving unit.

[0017] For instance, the rack comprises either a vertical cross-bar which extends vertically from the horizontal base or a horizontal cross-bar mounted between two parallel bars that extend vertically from the horizontal base. The shaft body is freely rotatable suspended at the respective cross-bar, namely the either the vertical cross-bar or the horizontal cross-bar. Therefore, a mechanically stable mounting of the brush is ensured. Furthermore, the respective arrangement ensures that the brush is enabled to self-align itself with respect to the surface of the sieving unit to be cleaned, e.g. the outer surface.

[0018] In a simple embodiment, the brush is mounted to the vertically extending crossbar (vertical cross-bar) that is (substantially) aligned parallel with the rotation axis of the rotor and / or the axis of symmetry of the sieving unit. In a more sophisticated embodiment, the rack comprises the horizontally extending cross-bar (horizontal cross-bar) that is mounted between the two parallel bars that extend vertically from the horizontal base. The horizontal cross-bar is rotatably hinged by means of a hinge mechanism such that the horizontal crossbar can rotate about its own axis. The shaft body is fixed to the horizontal crossbar, but freely rotatable suspended since the horizontal cross-bar is rotatably hinged. The shaft body of the brush generally extends in a vertical direction, e.g. perpendicular to the extension direction of the horizontal cross-bar. The hinge mechanism ensures that the brush can adapt its alignment with respect to the surface of the sieving unit to be cleaned automatically, thereby establishing an automatic alignment or rather a self-alignment of the brush with respect to the sieving unit.

[0019] In another aspect, the rack is coupled to a driving unit which, in the operational mode of the seed-milling machine, is configured to repetitively rotate the brush along the sieving unit, particularly along the outer side of the sieving unit. The driving unit drives the entire rack such that the brush together with the rack is moved along the sieving unit.

[0020] As mentioned above, a rotation about the axis of symmetry of the brush is not driven by the driving unit, but solely a movement of the brush about the sieving unit, particularly the outer side of the sieving unit.

[0021] The driving unit may comprise a ring gear to which the rack is coupled, wherein the ring gear is rotatably mounted. The rack is fixed to the ring gear that is driven by the driving unit such that the ring gear is enabled to rotate about its rotation axis that may coincidence with the axis of symmetry of the sieving unit and / or the rotation axis of the rotor.

[0022] Generally, the rotor, the sieving unit and / or the ring gear may be established in a rotationally symmetric. The rotor, the sieving unit and the ring gear may be located in a coaxial manner. Hence, the axes of symmetry may coincidence with each other.

[0023] The driving unit may further comprise a motor and a driving gear that is driven by the motor. The driving gear is engaged with a ring gear to rotate the ring gear. Hence, the motor drives the driving gear that may be connected with a shaft of the motor. The driving gear drives the ring gear that is rotatably mounted such that the ring gear rotates about its rotation axis, thereby rotating the rack fixedly coupled to the ring gear and the brush fixedly coupled to the rack along the sieving unit, particularly the outer side of the sieving unit. Accordingly, the outer surface of the sieving unit gets cleaned.

[0024] Particularly, the rack is coupled to the ring gear via an alignment mechanism for the at least one brush. The alignment mechanism may comprise the respective cross-bar to which the brush is mounted, e.g. the horizontal cross-bar mounted between two parallel bars that extend vertically from the horizontal base. In addition, the alignment mechanism may also comprise an additional hinge that is located between the horizontal base and the ring gear.

[0025] Hence, a simple alignment mechanism is established, particularly for the embodiment that comprises the vertical cross-bar to which the shaft body of the brush is suspended freely rotatable.

[0026] The alignment mechanism may comprise at least one spring-like member which is connected to the horizontal base and a mounting base which is fixedly mounted at the ring gear. The at least one spring-like member is located between the horizontal base and the mounting base. For instance, the at least one springlike member is a spring, e.g. a pressure spring.

[0027] Generally, the spring-like member may be used to ensure proper pressure and / or alignment of the brush with respect to the surface of the sieving unit to be cleaned, particularly the outer surface.

[0028] Another aspect provides that the cleaning unit comprises at least two brushes, each of the two brushes extends at least partially across the sieving unit, particularly the outer surface of the sieving unit. Hence, a (substantially) symmetric cleaning unit can be provided that is reduced in weight while simultaneously ensuring improved loads. The two brushes may extend across different portions of the sieving unit, particularly different portions along a longitudinal axis of the sieving unit, which coincidences with the axis of symmetry of the sieving unit. Moreover, the brushes may be assigned to different areas of the outer surface of the sieving unit with respect to the circumference. Generally, it is ensured that the entire surface to be cleaned of the sieving unit is cleaned by the two brushes that are moved along the sieving unit, e.g. along the outer side of the sieving unit.

[0029] Particularly, the two brushes are arranged diametrically opposite to each other. This ensures that loads applied when automatically cleaning the sieving unit are balanced, thereby minimizing the risk of tilting of the cleaning unit, e.g. the mechanism.

[0030] The processing unit may comprise a ventilation system that includes a ventilation channel that extends axially through the rotor, an exhaust channel assigned to the inlet unit, which is fluidly connected to the milling region, and an air source assigned to the outlet unit and configured to direct a stream of air into the ventilation channel. The ventilation system generally ensures that the milling is done in an efficient manner since the seed processed within the milling region is subjected to the force applied by the stream of air directed into the ventilation channel. Hence, the mechanical abrasion of the seed is improved, e.g. abrasion by grating along the sieving unit, particularly its inner side, abrasion by grating along the grinding side of the rotor, and / or abrasion by grating with each other.

[0031] Furthermore, the invention also provides a retrofit assembly for an industrial seed-milling machine as described above. The retrofit assembly comprises an automatic cleaning unit having at least one cleaning element which is configured to contact in an operational mode of the seed-milling machine and the sieving unit, particularly the outer surface of the sieving unit. The at least one cleaning element is further configured to move relative to the sieving unit, thereby automatically removing milling residues from the sieving unit, particularly the outer surface of the sieving unit.

[0032] Generally, the automatic cleaning unit may comprise the cleaning element, the rack and the driving unit. As mentioned above, the driving unit comprises the motor, the driving gear and the ring gear to which the rack is coupled, particularly via the alignment mechanism for the cleaning element. The cleaning element is mounted to the rack. The retrofit assembly may comprise all components mentioned above that are assigned to the automatic cleaning unit, namely the cleaning element, the rack, the driving unit, the alignment mechanism.

[0033] Generally, the automatic cleaning unit comprises a rack and a driving unit with a ring gear to which the rack is coupled. The ring gear may be rotatably mounted. The driving unit may comprise a motor and a driving gear that is driven by the motor. The driving gear may be engaged with a ring gear to be enabled to rotate the ring gear.

[0034] As mentioned above, the driving unit ensures an automatic cleaning of the sieving unit in an efficient manner. The cleaning element may be moved along the sieving unit, particularly the outer surface of the sieving unit, when the motor drives the driving gear that is engaged with the ring gear to which the rack is coupled to which the cleaning element is freely rotatable mounted.

[0035] Moreover, the retrofit assembly may also comprise an alignment mechanism for the cleaning element, e.g. the one described above. The rack is coupled to the ring gear via the alignment mechanism for the cleaning element, wherein the alignment mechanism comprises at least one spring-like member which is connected with the ring gear. The alignment mechanism may ensure that the brush is aligned with respect to the surface of the sieving unit to be cleaned, e.g. the outer surface. Accordingly, the cleaning element exerts a defined pressure on the respective surface to be cleaned, namely the outer surface of the sieving unit. This ensures proper cleaning of the surface of the sieving unit.

[0036] Since the automatic cleaning unit may be part of a retrofit assembly, the automatic cleaning unit can be incorporated into an already existing industrial seed-milling machine, thereby adding the automatic cleaning functionality.

[0037] The seed-milling machine obtained has an inbuilt cleaning mechanism, thereby reducing the manual cleaning frequency.

[0038] The automatic cleaning unit is supplied with a cleaning mechanism which rotates and revolves around the sieving unit for continuous cleaning.

[0039] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of the claimed subject matter will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein

[0040] - Figure 1 a schematic overview of an industrial seed-milling machine according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0041] - Figure 2 a schematic perspective overview of an industrial seed-milling machine according to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1 ,

[0042] - Figure 3 an overview illustrating components of the industrial seed-milling machine according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 ,

[0043] - Figure 4 an overview of a part of the industrial seed-milling machine according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 ,

[0044] - Figure 5 a detailed view of an automatic cleaning unit provided as a retrofit assembly that is mounted to the industrial seed-milling machine according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 ,

[0045] - Figure 6 an overview of a part of the industrial seed-milling machine according to another embodiment of the invention,

[0046] - Figure 7 a detailed view of a part of the automatic cleaning unit, and

[0047] - Figure 8 an overview illustrating different views on the part shown in Figure 7.

[0048] In Figures 1 to 6, an industrial seed-milling machine 10 is shown that comprises an inlet unit 12 configured to receive a seed to be milled, a processing unit 14 configured to mill the seed, thereby creating milled seed, and an output unit 16 configured to release the milled seed.

[0049] As shown in the Figures, the processing unit 14 is located between the inlet unit 12 and the output unit 16. In the shown embodiment, the processing unit 14 is arranged vertically between the input unit 12 and the output unit 16 such that the seed to be milled, which is received via the inlet unit 12, is forwarded to the processing unit 14. However, the processing unit 14 may also be arranged horizontally between the input unit 12 and the output unit 16. Actually, this depends on the dedicated design of the industrial seed-milling machine 10. The processing unit 14 processes the seed to be milled, e.g. by milling the seed, thereby creating the milled seed as well as milling residues. The milling residues shall be removed from the milled seed by the processing unit 14 as will be described later in more detail. The milled seed is forwarded from the processing unit 14 to the output unit 16.

[0050] Figure 2 shows that the processing unit 14 has a housing 18 which is established by two housing parts 20A and 20B in the shown embodiment, e.g. housing halves. The housing parts 20A, 20B can be swiveled so as to provide access to internal components of the processing unit 14.

[0051] Hence, the housing 18 encompasses the inner components of the processing unit 14 such that the inner components of the processing unit 14 are shielded from the surrounding by the housing 18.

[0052] The internal components of the processing unit 14 inter alia comprise a rotor 22 with an outer grinding side 24 as well as a sieving unit 26 that encompasses the rotor 22. The arrangement of the rotor 22 and the sieving unit 26 is shown in the right part of Figure 3 in more detail.

[0053] Figure 3 also shows that the rotor 22 is established by a plurality of components 28, for instance cylindrically shaped stones that are stacked on top of each other, wherein gaps are provided between adjacent components 28.

[0054] The seed to be milled by the processing unit 14 is mechanically processed, e.g. milled, between the components 28 of the rotor 22 as well as between the rotor 22, particularly its grinding side 24, and the sieving unit 26, namely its inner side 30. Hence, the grinding side 24 and the inner side 30 of the sieving unit 26 are opposing each other.

[0055] Accordingly, a milling region 32 is established between the inner side 30 of the sieving unit 26 and the grinding side 24 of the rotor 22, wherein the milling region 32 is annular.

[0056] Hence, the rotor 22 and the sieving unit 26 are cylindrically shaped with different radii, thereby ensuring the annular milling region 32.

[0057] In addition, the sieving unit 26 has an outer side 34 with an outer surface 36 wherein openings and / or slits are provided in the sieving unit 26 such that the milling residues can leave the milling region 32 via the openings and / or slits of the sieving unit 26, thereby reaching the outer side 34 of the sieving unit 26 for being discharged.

[0058] Moreover, the seed-milling machine 10 comprises an automatic cleaning unit 38 that can be established as a retrofit assembly 40 for being implemented in an already existing seed-milling machine 10.

[0059] The cleaning unit 38, particularly the retrofit assembly 40, comprises at least one cleaning element 42 that is established by a brush in the shown embodiment.

[0060] The brush comprises a cylindrical, longitudinal shaft body 43 on which a plurality of bristles 45 are disposed as shown in Figure 7 in more detail.

[0061] Alternatively, the cleaning element 42 can be a mitter curtain, a rag, a feather duster or combinations of the above-mentioned components.

[0062] In general, the cleaning element 42 is in contact with the sieving unit 26, particularly its outer side 34 or rather the outer surface 36 that is provided by the outer side 34.

[0063] Hence, the cleaning element 42 mechanically contacts the sieving unit 26 so as to be enabled to mechanically clean the respective surface of the sieving unit 26, particularly the outer surface 36. Thus, milling residues are removed from the respective surface of the sieving unit 26 such that an excess accumulation of the milling residues is avoided.

[0064] The removal of the milling residues is based on at least one dry cleaning technique that is selected from the group of wiping, brushing, polishing, sweeping and combinations thereof. In fact, the specific dry cleaning technique depends on the specific cleaning element 42 used for the cleaning purposes.

[0065] The cleaning unit 38 further comprises a driving unit 44 that is used to move the cleaning element 42 relatively to the sieving unit 26, thereby automatically removing the milling residues from the outer surface 36 of the sieving unit 26.

[0066] The driving unit 44 is active when the seed-milling machine 10 is operated.

[0067] Accordingly, the cleaning element 42 is moved along the outer side 34 of the sieving unit 26 in an operational mode of the seed-milling machine 10. Thus, accumulated milling residues like bran can be removed automatically while using the seed-milling machine 10 without the need for a stop (idle time) of the seed-milling machine 10.

[0068] Specifically, the driving unit 44 comprises a motor 46 that drives a driving gear 48, for instance a pinion, that is engaged with a ring gear 50 that is rotatably mounted such that the ring gear 50 is enabled to rotate about its rotation axis.

[0069] The cleaning element 42 is mounted to the ring gear 50 such that the rotation of the ring gear 50 results in a relative movement of the cleaning element 42 with respect to the sieving unit 26.

[0070] In a simple embodiment as shown in Figure 6, the cleaning element 42 is connected with the ring gear 50. In fact, the cleaning element 42 is mounted to a rack 52 that is connected with the ring gear 50.

[0071] In this embodiment, the rack 52 comprises a vertically extending cross-bar 54 (vertical cross-bar) that extends from a horizontal base 56 of the rack 52 via which the rack 52 is connected with the ring gear 50.

[0072] Generally, the cleaning element 42 is freely rotatable suspended at the rack 52 such that the cleaning element 42 is enabled to act as a roller cleaning element, e.g. a roller brush. In fact, this ensures that a self-rotation of the cleaning element 42 is exclusively driven by a friction-contact between the cleaning element 42 and the sieving unit 26, namely the outer surface 36. In other words, the cleaning element 42 is not driven by the driving unit 44 in order to rotate about its own rotation axis, as it self-rotates purely based on friction occurring between the cleaning element 42 and the outer surface 36 of the sieving unit 26.

[0073] In a more sophisticated embodiment which is shown in Figures 7 and 8 in more detail, the cleaning element 42 is freely rotatable suspended at the rack 52 that comprises a horizontal cross-bar 58 that is rotatably connected with two vertically extending bars 60 that are parallel to each other. The vertical bars 60 extend from the horizontal base 56 that is connected via an alignment mechanism 62 to a mounting base 64 via which the entire rack 52 is connected with the ring gear 50 as shown in Figure 5. The alignment mechanism 62 comprises at least one spring-like member 66 that is located between the mounting base 64 and the horizontal base 56 from which the vertical bars 60 extend.

[0074] In Figure 8 it is shown that the automatic cleaning unit 38 has a self-alignment mechanism 68. The self-alignment mechanism 68 is established by the alignment mechanism 62 as well as a rotatable connection 70 between the horizontal crossbar 58 and the vertical bars 60.

[0075] As shown in Figure 8, the self-alignment mechanism 68 provides two hinges 72, 74 such that the cleaning element 42 can self-align its relative position with respect to the outer surface 36 of the sieving unit 26.

[0076] Generally, the cleaning unit 38 may comprise two cleaning elements 42 established by brushes.

[0077] The cleaning elements 42 extend at least partially across the sieving unit 26, namely over a portion of the longitudinal dimension of the sieving unit 26, such that each of the cleaning elements 42 only cover a part of the outer surface 36 of the sieving unit 26 even though they are rotated around the sieving unit 26. However, both cleaning elements 42 are located at different heights such that they together cover the entire outer surface 36 of the sieving unit 26 when being moved along the outer surface 36.

[0078] Moreover, the two cleaning elements 42 are arranged diametrically opposite to each other, thereby reducing imbalanced loads on the ring gear 50 such that the entire cleaning unit 38 is not tilted during operation.

[0079] In general, the automatic cleaning unit 38 ensures that it is not necessary to manually clean the sieving unit 26 in order to remove the accumulated milling residues, as the cleaning elements 42 move along the outer surface 36 of the sieving unit 26, thereby removing any accumulated milling residues.

[0080] As illustrated in the embodiments, the shaft body 43 is aligned parallel to a rotation axis of the rotor 22 in the operational mode of the seed-milling machine 10, wherein the rotation axis coincidences with the axis of symmetry of the rotor 22 and / or the sieving unit 26. In Figures 1 to 3, it is also shown that the seed-milling machine 10 comprises a ventilation system 76 that has a ventilation channel 78 (illustrated by dashed lines in Figure 1) that extends through the rotor 22.

[0081] In addition, the ventilation system 76 has an exhaust channel 80 that is fluidly connected to the milling region 32.

[0082] The ventilation system 76 further comprises an air source 82 that is assigned to the outlet unit 16 as shown in Figures 1 .

[0083] The air source 82 is configured to direct a stream of air into the ventilation channel 78 such that the seed to be milled is tumbled within the processing unit 14, thereby ensuring that the seeds grain at each other, the grinding side 24 of the rotor 22 and / or the inner side 30 of the sieving unit 26.

Claims

Claims1. An industrial seed-milling machine (10), comprising an inlet unit (12) configured to receive a seed to be milled, a processing unit (14) configured to mill the seed, and an output unit (16) configured to release a milled seed, wherein the processing unit (14) is arranged between the input unit (12) and the output unit (14), the processing unit (16) comprising a rotor (22) with an outer grinding side (24), a cylindrically shaped sieving unit (26) which encompasses the rotor (22), wherein the sieving unit (26) has an inner side (30) and an outer side (34) with an outer surface (36), wherein the inner side (30) and the grinding side (34) of the rotor (22) are opposing each other such that an annular milling region (32) is formed between the sieving unit (26) and the rotor (22), and a housing (18) which encompasses the rotor (22) and the sieving unit (26) such that the rotor (22) and the sieving unit (26) are shielded from the surrounding by the housing (18), characterized in that the processing unit (14) comprises at least one automatic cleaning unit (38) that comprises at least one cleaning element (42) which in an operational mode of the seed-milling machine (10) is in contact with the sieving unit (26), wherein the at least one cleaning element (42) is configured to move relatively to the sieving unit (26), thereby automatically removing milling residues from the sieving unit (26).

2. The industrial seed-milling machine (10) according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one cleaning element (42) is selected from the group consisting of mitter curtain, rag, feather duster, brush and combinations thereof, in particular wherein the automatic removal of the milling residues is based on at least one dry cleaning technique which is selected from the group consisting of wiping, brushing, polishing, sweeping and combinations thereof.

3. The industrial seed-milling machine (10) according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one cleaning element (42) is a brush that comprises a cylindrical, longitudinal shaft body (43) on which a plurality of bristles (45) are disposed, in particular wherein in the operational mode of the seed-milling machine (10) the shaft body (43) is aligned parallel to a rotation axis of the rotor (22).

4. The industrial seed-milling machine (10) according to claim 3, wherein in the operational mode of the seed-milling machine (10) a self-rotation of the at least one brush is exclusively driven by a friction-contact between the brush and the sieving unit (26).

5. The industrial seed-milling machine (10) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the cleaning unit (38) further comprises a rack (52) with a horizontal base (56), wherein the brush is freely rotatable suspended at the rack (52), thereby enabling the brush to act as a roller brush.

6. The industrial seed-milling machine (10) according to claim 5, wherein the rack (52) comprises either a vertical cross-bar (54) which extends vertically from the horizontal base (56) or a horizontal cross-bar (58) mounted between two parallel bars (60) that extend vertically from the horizontal base (56), and wherein the shaft body (43) is freely rotatable suspended at the respective cross-bar (54, 58).

7. The industrial seed-milling machine (10) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the rack (52) is coupled to a driving unit (44) which in the operational mode of the seed-milling machine (10) is configured to repetitively rotate the brush along the sieving unit (26).

8. The industrial seed-milling machine (10) according to claim 7, wherein the driving unit (44) comprises a ring gear (50) to which the rack (52) is coupled, and wherein the ring gear (50) is rotatably mounted.

9. The industrial seed-milling machine (10) according to claim 8, wherein the driving unit (44) comprises a motor (46) and a driving gear (48) that is driven by the motor (46), and wherein the driving gear (48) is engaged with the ring gear (50) to rotate the ring gear (50).

10. The industrial seed-milling machine (10) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the rack (52) is coupled to the ring gear (50) via an alignment mechanism (62) for the at least one brush.

11. The industrial seed-milling machine (10) according to claim 10, wherein the alignment mechanism (62) comprises at least one spring-like member (66) which is connected to the horizontal base (56) and a mounting base (64) which is fixedly mounted at the ring gear (50), and wherein the at least one spring-like member (66) is located between the horizontal base (56) and the mounting base (64).

12. The industrial seed-milling machine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning unit (38) comprises at least two brushes (60), each of the two brushes extends at least partially across the sieving unit (26).

13. The industrial seed-milling machine (10) according to claim 12, wherein the two brushes are arranged diametrically opposite to each other.

14. The industrial seed-milling machine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing unit (14) further comprises a ventilation system (76) including a ventilation channel (78) that extends axially through the rotor (22), an exhaust channel (78) assigned to the inlet unit (12), which is fluidly connected to the milling region (32), and an air source (82) assigned to the outlet unit (16) and configured to direct a stream of air into the ventilation channel (80).

15. A retrofit assembly (40) for an industrial seed-milling machine (10) according to the preamble of claim 1 , wherein the retrofit assembly (40) comprises an automatic cleaning unit (38) having at least one cleaning element (42) which is configured to contact in an operational mode of the seed-milling machine (10) the sieving unit (26), wherein the at least one cleaning element (42) is further configured to move relative to the sieving unit (26), thereby automatically removing milling residues from the sieving unit (26), in particular wherein the cleaning unit (42) comprises a rack (52) and a driving unit (44) with a ring gear (50) to which the rack (52) is coupled, wherein the ring gear (50) is rotatably mounted, wherein thedriving unit (44) comprises a motor (46) and a driving gear (48) that is driven by the motor (44), and wherein the driving gear (48) is engaged with the ring gear (50) to be enabled to rotate the ring gear (50).

16. The retrofit assembly (40) according to claim 15, wherein the rack (52) is coupled to the ring gear (50) via an alignment mechanism (62) for the cleaning element (42), and wherein the alignment mechanism (62) comprises at least one spring-like member (66) which is connected the ring gear (50).

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