Shredding machine

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shredding machine optimised for processing metal scrap, comprising a shredding chamber (1) with an inlet opening for material to be shredded (8), a bottom shredding grate (3) with outlet holes, and a cutting rotor with a rotating shaft (4) and discs (5) that support hammers (6) configured to strike the material. The machine is characterised in that it comprises an accumulation zone (16) located above the cutting rotor, and a top shredding grate (11) inclined at an angle between 0° and 60° to a horizontal plane, located at the top of said accumulation zone (16). This configuration allows the accumulation of material of a size greater than the holes in the bottom grate during the rotation of the rotor, increasing the effective striking area, improving the quality of the product obtained, increasing productivity in relation to the energy consumed and increasing the safety of the process by reducing the risk of explosions due to the generation of sparks.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] FRAGMENTATION MACHINE: OBJECT OF THE INVENTION AND TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to an optimized fragmentation machine, of the type used to fragment scrap metal, whose configuration and design results in an improvement in the quality of the product obtained, increased productivity in relation to the energy consumed, and increased safety of the fragmentation process.

[0004] The invention falls within the field of mechanical engineering and recycling technology, specifically in the design and optimization of fragmentation systems for the processing of metal scrap.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] A shredder, or shredding machine, is a machine that processes material, primarily metallic material (known as scrap metal), to reduce the size of its constituent components and increase their density. This system is used in the early stages of metal recycling, as the resulting product is more compact and easier to separate, making it suitable for recycling and reuse in numerous applications.

[0007] More specifically, this invention focuses, though not exclusively, on the fragmentation of scrap metal. This practice has become an integral part of the steel industry, improving the sector's economic viability and reducing its environmental impact.

[0008] Compared to mineral extraction, using recycled ferrous metals significantly reduces CO2 emissions, energy and water consumption, and air pollution. Furthermore, steel recycling makes more efficient use of Earth's natural resources.

[0009] Metal recycling is a pyramid-shaped industry with a base comprised of numerous small businesses that supply scrap metal to large multinational corporations at the top. Steel is a suitable material for the recycling process because, if recycled correctly, its physical and mechanical properties do not degrade, allowing for continuous recycling.

[0010] Recycled steel can be used for the same applications as steel produced from virgin material. Recycling one ton of steel saves 1,100 kilograms of iron ore, 630 kilograms of coal, and 55 kilograms of limestone. Furthermore, CO2 emissions are reduced by 58% when using ferrous scrap.

[0011] On the other hand, a shredder, like the usual ones available on the market, comprises a series of common elements that can be summarized as follows:

[0012] - a drive unit responsible for supplying mechanical power to the fragmentation process. This could be a motor, servomotor, or actuator;

[0013] - a feeding system responsible for supplying the machine with the material to be fragmented;

[0014] - a fragmentation system where the material is fragmented, reducing its size; and

[0015] - an evacuation system that conveys the fragmented material to the next processes in the facility.

[0016] The present invention focuses on the fragmentation system, which normally comprises a series of hammers arranged on a rotor that, when rotating, strike the material against other elements that act as an anvil, within a peripheral chamber surrounding the rotor, called the crushing chamber or fragmentation chamber.

[0017] The material is hammered inside the chamber until it is large enough to pass through slitted grids arranged in an area of ​​the chamber called the evacuation zone. The spacing of the grid slits (usually called the gap) determines the size of the fragments obtained in the process.

[0018] The smaller the size, the higher the quality of the product obtained, implying a greater number of impacts and, therefore, a longer processing time and associated energy cost.

[0019] In the state of the art, fragmentation devices can be found, such as the one described in document ES2924307T3, in which elements are integrated into the fragmentation chamber, such as additional slits, which are activated actively or passively to facilitate the evacuation of non-crushable elements (due to hardness or size) or to facilitate the movement of the material to be fragmented towards the entrance, to prevent it from getting stuck in the evacuation grids, with benefits in terms of productivity and wear.

[0020] One of the main problems with existing frag shredders on the market is the possibility of explosions inside them when flammable materials are introduced with the scrap metal being processed (for example, a fuel tank with residual fuel, gas cylinders, etc.). This is because, during the fragmentation process, the hammers rotate at high peripheral speed, and the impacts inside the fragmentation chamber can generate heat and sparks. It should be noted that one of the most common uses for these machines is the fragmentation of scrapped vehicles, which may contain flammable or explosive liquids.

[0021] When the presence of flammable material is combined with the generation of heat and sparks, explosions of greater or lesser magnitude can occur, which constitute a risk to machine operators, to the integrity of the machine and to the elements surrounding it.

[0022] As indicated in other documents present in the state of the art, such as ES1209488U, one of the ways to avoid explosions is by performing a prior fragmentation of the material, using machinery designed for this purpose, which performs a coarse fragmentation of the material at a lower speed, reducing the risk of generating sparks, and therefore the risk of explosion.

[0023] This solution involves an additional step in the scrap metal process, which is carried out with pre-shredder machines (known by their English name as "Pre-shredder machines"), a process that is not always viable due to plant space, production costs, or economic limitations at the time of investment.

[0024] EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The subject of this description is a shredder used to shred scrap metal, comprising an optimized shredding chamber, whose configuration and design provides an improvement in the quality of the product obtained, increases productivity in relation to the energy consumed, and increases the safety of the shredding process.

[0026] The present invention focuses on optimizing the upper geometry of the fragmentation chamber of a fragmenting machine, with the aim of increasing the safety of the fragmentation process, reducing the risk of fire, increasing the energy efficiency of the machine, and improving the quality of the product.

[0027] Thus, the present invention consists of a fragmentation machine comprising a fragmentation chamber, like those available on the market, which in turn comprises an inlet opening for material to be fragmented, colloquially known as scrap metal.

[0028] The fragmentation machine also comprises elements such as those existing in the fragmenters described in the background, such as a lower fragmentation grid comprising a plurality of outlet holes, located in a lower part of the fragmentation chamber; and a cutting rotor, located inside the fragmentation chamber, comprising a rotating shaft and two or more discs mounted on said rotating shaft, the cutting rotor being in an upper part of the lower fragmentation grid.

[0029] The outlet holes of the fragmenting grid can be of different sizes and arrangements, adapted to the size of the fragmented product desired.

[0030] The discs are mounted or assembled rigidly onto the rotating shaft using connections that transmit the shaft's rotation to the discs. These rigid connections, which can be detached, are oriented in different parallel directions, perpendicular to the rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is configured to rotate about its own axis, that is, about an axis that defines its shape and orientation. For example, if the rotating shaft is cylindrical, it can rotate about the axis that defines that cylindrical shape.

[0031] Preferably, the discs are mounted on the rotation axis, concentrically, although, depending on the needs, they could be mounted with some eccentricity.The fragmentation machine also comprises a plurality of hammers, mounted on the outer perimeters of the two or more cutting rotor discs, configured to strike the material to be fragmented to break it into smaller elements; a rotation drive means, connected to the rotating shaft, configured to transmit a rotational motion to the cutting rotor discs; and at least one fragmentation anvil comprising a stationary element (with respect to the rotation of the cutting rotor), made of a material of high hardness and strength, to withstand and absorb the impacts received, configured to receive an impact of material to be fragmented, struck by the hammers, where the fragmentation of the material introduced through the material inlet opening of the fragmentation chamber occurs.

[0032] The fact that the cutting rotor is located at the top of the lower fragmentation grid means that, when in the operating position, the cutting rotor is at a higher height than the lower fragmentation grid, so that the fragmented material can fall, by gravity, between the protruding holes of said grid.

[0033] The arrangement of the elements described is preferably the same as that in which they are usually arranged in the cited state-of-the-art shredding machines, where the axis of rotation of the cutting rotor is oriented in a horizontal direction.

[0034] The distinguishing features of the claimed fragmentation machine compared to those disclosed in the prior art are that the fragmentation machine of the present invention comprises an accumulation zone located inside the fragmentation chamber, above the cutting rotor; and an upper fragmentation grid, located above the accumulation zone, which comprises a plurality of outlet holes through which the fragmented material is expelled from the accumulation zone, propelled by the impact of the hammers in said zone. In this way, the accumulation zone is configured to accumulate material to be fragmented that is larger than the outlet holes of the lower fragmentation grid during the rotation of the cutting rotor, thereby increasing the effective impact area.

[0035] The fact that the accumulation zone is located above the cutting rotor and that the upper shredding grid is positioned above the accumulation zone means that, with the shredder in its operating position on a substantially horizontal surface, the material to be shredded that has not passed through the holes in the lower shredding grid can accumulate above the cutting rotor as it is dragged along by the hammers during its rotation. Similarly, the upper shredding grid is positioned at a certain height above the cutting rotor, so the space between the upper shredding grid and the cutting rotor defines the accumulation zone.

[0036] The space between the hammers and the lower fragmentation grid is very small, so there is no space between them where material can accumulate, beyond small pieces of shavings; however, the space between the upper fragmentation grid and the rotor hammers is higher, which allows for the accumulation of material described.

[0037] This accumulation zone allows for an increased number of blows from the hammers to the material being fragmented, as it acts as a storage area that increases the effective impact area around the cutting rotor, increasing the process effectiveness per revolution of the cutting rotor and a higher quality in the processed product that receives a greater number of blows in the same time, achieving greater density.

[0038] The arrangement of the accumulation zone in the upper part of the fragmentation chamber is such that it does not interfere with the machine's feeding sector, nor with the initial zone where the smaller scrap can be easily extracted through the perimeter grids of the lower fragmentation grid.

[0039] In one embodiment, the fragmentation machine comprises a material removal hatch located in the accumulation zone, which allows for the removal of unsellable material without affecting its operation. Preferably, this hatch can be operated from the outside to extract pieces of material that cannot be fragmented by hammer blows.

[0040] The unshredding screen can function similarly to those found in the machines mentioned in the background section. It is typically operated from the outside and is located on the side of the shredding chamber to release hard or large objects that would damage the hammers and other components of the shredding area if they remained inside during the process.

[0041] In one embodiment, the accumulation zone located above the cutting rotor comprises a blind tray, which limits the accumulation of the material to be fragmented, comprising a size larger than the outlet holes of the lower fragmentation grid during the rotation of the cutting rotor (i.e., the material that has not been fragmented enough to be able to pass through said holes), the upper fragmentation grid, which has already been described, and the trapdoor for evacuating unusable material.

[0042] The blank tray acts as a stop to retain the material to be fragmented in the accumulation zone, so that this material can only be expelled through the upper fragmentation grid. In fact, the material exiting through this upper fragmentation grid is not connected to the material inlet of the shredder, but rather to the fragmented material outlet. This upper fragmentation grid is one of the key features of the invention, as it significantly increases the machine's productivity when combined with the accumulation zone.

[0043] In one embodiment, the upper fragmenting grid comprises a substantially flat surface. The upper fragmenting grid also comprises a first end edge in contact with a first end edge of the blind tray. With the fragmenting machine in its operating position and orientation, the first end edge of the upper grid is also located in a boundary region positioned above the axis of rotation, relative to the horizontal cross-section of the axis of rotation, such that this boundary region has a transverse width of 100 mm and is centered with respect to the axis of rotation.

[0044] The upper fragmentation grid could also comprise a slightly curved surface without the effect of said curvature affecting the operation of the described embodiment, provided that said curvature has a radius and covers the required space.

[0045] The first extreme edge of the upper grid is the one closest to the material inlet opening of the fragmentation chamber.

[0046] The boundary region is a specific area within the accumulation zone, used to indicate the position of the upper fragmentation grid relative to the axis of rotation. A very precise location of this upper fragmentation grid relative to the axis of rotation, as defined in this embodiment, greatly improves the performance of the fragmentation machine compared to the machines described in the background information. Thus, in this embodiment, the upper fragmentation grid is located not only above the axis of rotation but also on the opposite side of the blind tray. The first edge of this upper fragmentation grid (the one closest to the material inlet opening of the fragmentation chamber) is in the area called the boundary region (since it is where it meets the first extreme edge of the blind tray). In other words, this boundary region is located directly above the axis of rotation and has a width of 100 mm.Therefore, the first edge of the upper fragmentation grid can be located, in this embodiment, in a space 100 mm wide, 50 mm on each side of the center of the pivot axis, from a perspective transverse to the direction of the pivot axis, but at a higher height, which delimits the accumulation zone.

[0047] In one embodiment, the shredding machine comprises a feeding means configured to move material to be shredded from outside the shredding machine into the inlet opening of the shredding chamber. Preferably, the feeding means comprises a device selected from a hopper, a conveyor belt, a ramp, or a combination thereof. That is, material can be introduced into the inlet opening by any of these automatic or manual means.

[0048] In one embodiment, the hammers are mounted, each of them, on the perimeters of the two or more discs, by means of hinged articulated joints; each of said hammers being configured to rotate freely with respect to the disc to which they are mounted, a limited angle within a range comprising (-60 e at 60 e ). This angle range can be narrower, such as from -30 to 30 e In another embodiment, the hammers are mounted to the discs by means of rigid connections.

[0049] In one embodiment, the fragmentation machine comprises at least one post-fragmentation anvil located in the accumulation zone. This post-fragmentation anvil allows for proper fragmentation of the material in the accumulation zone, as the material can strike it, and not only in the area where the lower fragmentation grid is located, which already includes a fragmentation anvil. In this way, the entire space around the cutting rotor is utilized for material fragmentation, and not just the lower part of the fragmentation chamber, as is typical.

[0050] In one embodiment, with the shredding machine in the operating position, the axis of rotation of the cutting rotor is oriented in a substantially horizontal direction, where the two or more discs comprise a cylindrical arrangement. The substantially horizontal direction means that it is parallel, or substantially parallel, to the ground on which the shredding machine rests. Indeed, for the proper operation of the shredding machine, it is suitable that it rest on a flat surface that allows for the orientation described.

[0051] The position of the shredding machine is of great importance for its correct operation, since, as is normal in this type of device, the removal or exit of the shredded material from the shredding chamber is largely determined by gravity, hence the arrangement of the cutting rotor with respect to the lower and upper shredding grids must be very precise.

[0052] The discs are spaced a regular distance apart from each other in the horizontal direction of the axis of rotation, so that they preferably cover the amplitude of the axis of rotation.

[0053] One of the distinguishing features of the fragmentation chamber of this shredding machine, compared to those existing in the state of the art, is that it is divided into three angular regions (or zones) with respect to the axis of rotation and with respect to a cross-section perpendicular to the horizontal direction of said axis of rotation. In other words, the fragmentation chamber can be divided into three sections or angular zones, easily visible from a side view of the cutting rotor, using the axis of rotation as a reference.

[0054] These angular regions are:

[0055] - an angular material entry region, where the inlet opening is located to introduce the material to be fragmented into the interior of the fragmentation chamber; - an angular fragmentation region in which the lower fragmentation grid(s) are located, where an initial impact of the plurality of hammers occurs against the material to be fragmented, as well as against the fragmentation anvil, expelling fragmented pieces, which are smaller than the outlet holes of said lower fragmentation grid(s); and

[0056] - an angular accumulation region located above the cutting rotor.

[0057] The operability of these zones does not interfere with the operability of the surrounding zones, as they are clearly differentiated and separated.

[0058] In a more specific embodiment, the angular accumulation region comprises an angular cross-section, comprising an angle between 75 eand 105 e , preferably comprising a value of 90 e In many of the fragmentation systems that exist today, the fragmentation chamber is usually completely blind at the top, without having an upper fragmentation grid like the one claimed, which forces the product to be expelled through the sides of the cutting rotor, a fact that reduces the production of the machine, since the scrap has a smaller useful cross-section to exit the fragmentation zone.

[0059] In one embodiment, the angular accumulation region is divided into three angular subregions, with respect to the axis of rotation, and with respect to a cross-section perpendicular to the horizontal direction of said axis of rotation:

[0060] - a first angular subregion delimited by the trapdoor for evacuating uncrushable material;

[0061] - a second angular subregion delimited by the upper fragmentation grid;

[0062] and

[0063] - a third angular subregion delimited by the blind tray;

[0064] where the second angular subregion is larger than any of the other subregions; and where the second angular subregion is greater than 30 e .

[0065] The angular size (angle covered) of the upper shredding grid also significantly differentiates the performance of the described implementation from existing machines on the market. Beyond the size of the upper shredding grid, the angle covered by its arrangement in the accumulation zone is crucial.

[0066] In one embodiment, the fragmentation machine comprises an upper outer casing, located at a higher height above the upper fragmentation grid, outside the accumulation zone, the fragmentation machine being in the position and orientation of use, wherein said outer casing is configured to guide the fragmented material expelled through the plurality of outlet holes of said upper fragmentation grid, towards a fragmented material outlet.

[0067] This arrangement of the upper outer casing facilitates the exit of the processed material through the upper grill.

[0068] It should be understood that, during operation, the cutting rotor spins at high speed, causing the hammers to strike the material being fragmented with great force. Consequently, the fragmented material is forcefully ejected through the multiple discharge holes in the upper fragmentation grid. The outer casing prevents this ejected material from being dispersed, instead collecting it in a designated discharge area.

[0069] The upper fragmentation grid comprises a flat surface inclined, with respect to a horizontal plane (determined by the floor on which the fragmentation machine rests) at an angle greater than 0 and less than 60 e , preferably between 20 and 45 eThe fragmentation machine is in its operating position. This means that the upper fragmentation grid is inclined at a specific angle to the horizontal plane, in order to allow a greater quantity of fragmented material to exit the accumulation zone.

[0070] In the embodiment where the upper fragmentation grid is inclined to the indicated limits, the volume that remains under said grid, in the accumulation zone, can be between 40 and 80% greater compared to the configuration where the upper grid is completely horizontal.

[0071] The large volume of the accumulation zone allows the hammers to repeatedly strike the accumulated material to be fragmented at a constant rate, resulting in a more homogeneous flow of expelled material. This achieves the required product density with less energy consumption, thus increasing system efficiency, as the shredder processes more material in the fragmentation chamber. In other words, the entire width of the cutting rotor, except for the inlet area, is utilized for fragmentation, rather than just the lower portion, as is typical.

[0072] In turn, this accumulation zone allows the accumulated material to be fragmented to exhibit a certain movement, thus reducing the impact of the material on specific points with the accelerated hammers, also reducing the possibility of generating sparks that could cause fires or explosions inside the fragmentation chamber.

[0073] Another benefit of the accumulation zone is that, by having a more homogeneous load of material, the impact of the system elements is reduced when processing the material to be fragmented with acceleration and deceleration of the hammers, increasing the useful life of the fragmenter components.

[0074] In one embodiment, the fragmentation machine comprises a re-shredding grid with a plurality of holes configured to filter material accumulated in the accumulation zone by the impact of the hammers towards the material inlet opening of the fragmentation chamber. That is, not all the material in the accumulation zone is ultimately expelled through the upper fragmentation grid or the unshredderable material discharge hatch; some of this material may repeat the fragmentation cycle by being directed to the material inlet zone.

[0075] This re-crushing grid injects some of this material that has not been completely reduced in size towards the material inlet, thus increasing the density of the incoming material and facilitating the reduction of its size by striking it again along with the scrap that has been introduced into the inlet.

[0076] Furthermore, by introducing pre-fragmented material alongside the unprocessed material to be fragmented, the internal impacts of the material itself increase and, consequently, the production of the fragmenter increases.

[0077] In one embodiment, the lower fragmentation grid comprises a cylindrical curved surface surrounding a lower portion of the rotor. More specifically, the curved surface of the lower grid is positioned eccentrically to the substantially cylindrical surface of the two or more rotor discs.

[0078] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0079] To complete the description and to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive report is accompanied, as an integral part thereof, by figures in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following have been represented: - Figure 1 Represents a sectioned side or profile view, in which all the components of the shredding machine can be seen, as well as their arrangement.

[0080] - Figure 2.- Represents a side perspective view, as shown in Figure 1, in which the different angular zones of the fragmentation chamber can be seen, as well as the subregions of the accumulation zone, where the upper fragmentation grid is oriented with an inclination between 20 and 40 e , with respect to a horizontal plane.

[0081] List of elements shown in the figures:

[0082] 1. Fragmentation chamber

[0083] 2.- Feeding medium

[0084] 3.- Lower fragmentation grill

[0085] 4.- Rotation axis

[0086] 5.- Discs

[0087] 6. Hammers

[0088] 7. Hinged articulated joints

[0089] 8. Material to be fragmented

[0090] 9.- Anvil of fragmentation

[0091] 10.- Blind tray

[0092] 11.- Upper fragmentation grill

[0093] 12.- Post-fragmented anvil

[0094] 13.- Trapdoor for the evacuation of incompressible materials

[0095] 14.- Regrinding grid

[0096] 15.- Upper outer casing

[0097] 16.- Accumulation Zone

[0098] I.- Angular region of material entry

[0099] II.- Angular fragmentation region

[0100] III.- Angular accumulation region

[0101] a.- Second angular subregion

[0102] p.- Third angular subregion

[0103] rp.- First angular subregion

[0104] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION As can be seen in the figures, the present invention consists of a fragmentation machine, a fragmenting machine, or fragmenter, specially configured to fragment, into small pieces, scrap metal of metallic origin.

[0105] These types of devices are well known in the state of the art, most of them comprising some common elements or means.

[0106] For example, in Figure 1 it can be seen that the fragmentation machine comprises a fragmentation chamber (1) where the material introduced through an inlet opening for material to be fragmented (8), located on one side (right in Figure 1) of said fragmentation chamber (1), is fragmented.

[0107] Inside the fragmentation chamber (1), the fragmentation machine comprises a cutting rotor, which in turn comprises a rotating shaft (4) and a plurality of discs (5) mounted on said rotating shaft (4), arranged in parallel, forming a cylindrical structure. Each of said discs (5) is attached to hammers (6), which may be connected to one of its sides, or to two coinciding sides of two adjacent discs (5).

[0108] The connection between the hammers (6) and the discs (5) is articulated, with respect to respective hinged articulated joints (7), which allow a slight rotation of the hammers (6), with respect to the discs (5), a certain angle.

[0109] The hammers (6) have a first end part where there is a point of attachment to the corresponding hinged joint (7), and a second end part where there is the area for striking and cutting the material to be fragmented.

[0110] Below the cutting rotor is a lower shredding grid, or a series of grids (3), comprising a cylindrical shape complementary to the assembly formed by the rotor and the hammers (6). That is, the rotor with the hammers (6) is located in the cylindrical cavity formed by the lower shredding grid(s) (3).

[0111] The fragmentation machine also comprises a rotary drive means, connected to the rotating shaft (4), which rotates said rotating shaft (4) about itself, from the axis that defines its geometry, to transmit a rotary motion to the discs (5) of the cutting rotor. These discs (5) transmit their rotary motion to the hammers (6) inside the fragmentation chamber (1).

[0112] Next to the material feed opening (8) of the fragmentation chamber (1), there is a fragmentation anvil (9) which basically consists of a stationary element, configured to receive an impact from the material to be fragmented (8), struck by the hammers (6). Thus, the material to be fragmented (8), also called “scrap” in this document, is introduced through the material feed opening (8), being struck by the hammers (6), as they rotate about the axis of rotation (4), against the fragmentation anvil (9), generating fragmentation of the material, which is expelled, by the effect of gravity and the impulse generated by the hammers (6), through the through-holes of the lower fragmentation grid (3).

[0113] The difference between the fragmentation machine described and those existing in the state of the art is that this fragmentation machine makes use of the entire surface or envelope of the cutting rotor to perform the fragmentation of the material, introduced through the material inlet opening of the fragmentation chamber (1), which makes it much more efficient, providing a much higher performance than that found so far.

[0114] For this purpose, the fragmentation machine comprises an accumulation zone (16) located inside the fragmentation chamber (1), above the cutting rotor. That is, just after the lower fragmentation grids (3), which have a cylindrical shape, with respect to the circular path taken by the hammers (6).

[0115] In an upper part of said accumulation zone (16) the fragmentation machine also comprises an upper fragmentation grid (11), which in turn comprises a plurality of outlet holes through which the material to be fragmented (8) accumulated in the accumulation zone (16), and which is struck by the hammers (6) in said zone, can also be expelled.

[0116] This upper fragmentation grid (11) is not coincident with the cylindrical shape of the rotor, like the lower fragmentation grid (3), but is located at a sufficient separation to create the accumulation zone (16), which allows the material to be fragmented (8) to accumulate, which is larger than the outlet holes of the lower fragmentation grid (3), and which, therefore, has not been able to be expelled during the rotation of the cutting rotor.

[0117] This accumulation of material to be fragmented (8) in the accumulation zone (16) allows the material to be attacked and struck by the hammers (6) until it is fragmented to a precise size. In fact, given the high rotational speed of the cutting rotor, the fragments of material can be ejected by the upper fragmentation grid (11), as they receive blows of sufficient force to lift and expel them, without needing to fall under their own weight.

[0118] In the event that there is material to be fragmented (8) that cannot be fragmented due to its hardness or morphology, the fragmentation machine has an evacuation hatch (13) for unshredderable material located in the accumulation zone (16), which can be seen in figure 1. This hatch can be operated to remove material larger than the holes in the grids.

[0119] In fact, the evacuation hatch (13) is one of the elements that define the upper boundary of the accumulation zone (16). Specifically, the accumulation zone (16) is delimited, following the direction of rotation of the hammers (6) with respect to the axis of rotation, by said evacuation hatch (13), the upper fragmentation grid (11), and a blind tray (10), which is responsible for limiting the movement of the material to be fragmented (8) that comprises such a large size that it has not been able to be expelled through the exit holes of the fragmentation grids.

[0120] In addition to these elements located in the accumulation zone (16), one of the configurations that distinguishes the present invention from those existing on the market is the arrangement of the upper fragmentation grid (11). More specifically, the upper fragmentation grid (11) comprises a substantially flat surface, although it could also comprise a substantially curved surface, such as a cylindrical surface. A first end edge of said upper fragmentation grid (11) is in contact with a first end edge of the blind tray (10). The second end edge of the upper fragmentation grid (11) is in contact with the edge of the discharge hatch (13).

[0121] To understand the configuration of the upper fragmenting grid (11), it is necessary to analyze the fragmenting machine as if it were in its operating position and orientation. In this way, the first extreme edge of the upper grid (11) (which is in contact with a first extreme edge of the blind tray (10)) is located in a boundary region positioned at a height above the pivot axis (4), relative to the horizontal cross-section of the pivot axis (4). This boundary region has a transverse width of 100 mm and is centered with respect to the pivot axis (4).

[0122] Thus, if for example the upper fragmentation grid (11) has a rectangular shape, the first extreme edge of the upper fragmentation grid (11) (which is in contact with a first extreme edge of the blind tray (10)), would preferably be vertically aligned with the center of the pivot axis (4) or in a space called the “border region” comprising a width of 100 mm and centered with respect to the pivot axis.

[0123] Not only is the location of the upper fragmentation grid (11) important for achieving good performance of the fragmentation machine, but so is the area it covers. To analyze this, the fragmentation chamber (1) of the fragmentation machine is divided into three angular regions (I, II, III) with respect to the axis of rotation (4) and with respect to a cross-section perpendicular to the horizontal direction of said axis of rotation (4). That is, with respect to the side perspective shown in Figure 2.

[0124] The regions would be: the angular region of material entry (I), where the entry opening for introducing the material to be fragmented (8) into the fragmentation chamber (1) is located; the angular region of fragmentation (II), where the lower fragmentation grid(s) (3) is located, and where the greatest impact of the plurality of hammers (6) against the material to be fragmented (8) occurs; and the angular region of accumulation (III), where the accumulation zone (16) is located.

[0125] This angular accumulation region (III) comprises an angular cross-section, comprising an angle between 75 e and 105 e , although it preferably comprises a value of 90 e That is, approximately one-quarter of the 360 e determined by the axis of rotation (4).

[0126] In turn, the angular accumulation region (III) is divided into three angular subregions (a, rp, P), also with respect to the axis of rotation (4), and with respect to a cross-section to the horizontal direction of said axis of rotation (4).

[0127] These three angular subregions would be the first angular subregion (q>) delimited by the evacuation hatch (13) of unshredderable material, the second angular subregion (a) delimited by the upper fragmentation grid (11), and a third angular subregion (P) delimited by the blind tray (10).

[0128] For the shredding machine to operate at maximum efficiency, the second angular subregion (a), which is delimited by the upper shredding grid (11), must be larger than either of the other subregions (P, cp). Furthermore, it must also be greater than 30 eThis allows the material to be fragmented (8), struck by the hammers (6), in the accumulation zone (16) to be expelled more easily by having a large outlet amplitude.

[0129] The upper fragmentation grid (11) comprises a flat surface inclined, with respect to a horizontal plane, at an angle between 20 e and 45 e with the fragmentation machine in the operating position. That is, a position and orientation as shown in figure 2. This inclination is adapted to the angle of impact of the material by the hammers (6), in the accumulation zone (16).

[0130] In addition to the arrangement of the described components that delimit the accumulation zone (16), the fragmentation machine also comprises a post-fragmentation anvil (12) located in the accumulation zone (16), which improves the fragmentation performance in said zone by absorbing the impacts of the material struck by the hammers (6).

[0131] To carry the material to be fragmented (8) to the fragmentation chamber (1) the fragmentation machine may comprise a feeding means (2) as shown in figure 1, comprising a conveyor belt, which moves said material to the material inlet opening.

[0132] On the other hand, and also as can be seen in Figure 1, the fragmentation machine comprises an upper outer casing (15) located at a higher height above the upper fragmentation grid (11), outside the accumulation zone (16), with the fragmentation machine in its operating position and orientation. This outer casing (15) prevents the fragmented material expelled through the plurality of outlet holes in the upper fragmentation grid (11) from being lost or dispersed, directing it towards the outlet zone.

[0133] In addition, the fragmentation machine also has a re-crushing grid (14) that allows the material to be fragmented, accumulated in the accumulation zone (16), to be directed towards the inlet opening of the material to be fragmented (8), of the fragmentation chamber (1), creating a recirculation of said material.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Fragmentation machine comprising: - a fragmentation chamber (1) comprising an inlet opening for material to be fragmented (8); - a lower fragmentation grid (3) comprising a plurality of outlet holes, located in a lower part of the fragmentation chamber (1); - a cutting rotor, located inside the fragmentation chamber (1), comprising a rotating shaft (4) and two or more discs (5) mounted on said rotating shaft (4), the cutting rotor being in an upper part of the lower fragmentation grid (3); - a plurality of hammers (6), mounted on the outer perimeters of the two or more discs (5) of the cutting rotor, configured to strike the material to be fragmented (8); - a rotary drive means, connected to the rotating shaft (4), configured to transmit a rotary motion to the discs (5) of the cutting rotor; - at least one fragmentation anvil (9) comprising a stationary element, configured to receive an impact of material to be fragmented (8), struck by the hammers (6); characterized in that the fragmentation machine comprises: - an accumulation zone (16) located inside the fragmentation chamber (1), and above the cutting rotor; and - an upper fragmentation grid (11), located in an upper part of the accumulation zone (16), comprising a plurality of outlet holes through which the fragmentation material (8) accumulated in the accumulation zone (16) is expelled by the hammering of the hammers (6) in said zone; where the accumulation zone (16) is configured to accumulate a material to be fragmented (8) of a size larger than the outlet holes of the lower fragmentation grid (3), during the rotation of the cutting rotor, increasing an effective striking area; and where the upper fragmentation grid (11) comprises an inclined flat surface, an angle greater than 0 e and less than 60 e , with respect to a horizontal plane defined by a floor on which the fragmentation machine rests.

2. Fragmentation machine, according to claim 1, wherein the upper fragmentation grid (11) comprises a flat surface, inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, at an angle between 20 and 45 e with the fragmentation machine in operating position.

3. Fragmentation machine, according to any of the preceding claims, comprising an evacuation hatch (13) for unshredderable material located in the accumulation zone (16).

4. Fragmentation machine, according to the preceding claim, wherein the accumulation zone (16) is located above the cutting rotor, and is delimited by: - a blind tray (10), which limits the accumulation of the material to be fragmented (8) comprising a size larger than the outlet holes of the lower fragmentation grid (3), during the rotation of the cutting rotor; - the upper fragmentation grid (11); and - the evacuation hatch (13) for unshredderable material.

5. Fragmentation machine, according to the preceding claim, wherein: - the upper fragmentation grid (11) comprises a first end edge in contact with a first end edge of the blind tray (10); with the fragmentation machine in the position and orientation for use: - said first extreme edge of the upper grid (11) is also located in a boundary region arranged at a higher height than the axis of rotation (4), with respect to the cross-section of the horizontal direction of the axis of rotation (4); and - where said border region comprises a transverse width of 100 mm, and is centered with respect to the axis of rotation (4).

6. Fragmentation machine, according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, with the fragmentation machine in the operating position, the axis of rotation (4) of the cutting rotor is oriented in a substantially horizontal direction, wherein the two or more discs (5) comprise a joint arrangement with a cylindrical shape.

7. Fragmentation machine, according to the preceding claim, wherein the fragmentation chamber (1) of the fragmentation machine is divided into three angular regions (I, II, III), with respect to the axis of rotation (4), and with respect to a cross-section to the horizontal direction of said axis of rotation (4): - an angular region for material entry (I), where the entrance opening is located to introduce the material to be fragmented (8) into an interior of the fragmentation chamber (1); - an angular fragmentation region (II) in which the lower fragmentation grid(s) (3) is located, where an initial impact of the plurality of hammers (6) occurs against the material to be fragmented (8), expelling fragmented pieces through the exit holes of said lower fragmentation grid(s) (3); - an angular accumulation region (III) where the accumulation zone (16) is located.

8. Fragmentation machine, according to the preceding claim, wherein the angular accumulation region (III) comprises an angular cross-section, comprising an angle between 75 e and 105 e , preferably comprising a value of 90 e .

9. Fragmentation machine, according to any of claims 7 to 8, and claim 4, wherein the angular accumulation region (III) is divided into three angular subregions (a, cp, P), with respect to the axis of rotation (4), and with respect to a cross-section to the horizontal direction of said axis of rotation (4): - a first angular subregion (q>) delimited by the evacuation trap (13) of unshredderable material; - a second angular subregion (a) bounded by the upper fragmentation grid (11); and - a third angular subregion (P) delimited by the blind tray (10); where the second angular subregion (a) is larger than any of the other subregions (P, cp); and where the second angular subregion (a) is greater than 30 e .

10. A fragmentation machine, according to any of the preceding claims, comprising an upper outer casing (15) located at a higher height above the upper fragmentation grid (11), outside the accumulation zone (16), the fragmentation machine being in the position and orientation of use, wherein said outer casing (15) is configured to guide the material to be fragmented (8) expelled through the plurality of outlet holes of said upper fragmentation grid (11), towards a fragmented material outlet.

11. Fragmentation machine, according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a re-crushing grid (14) comprising a plurality of holes configured to filter material to be fragmented (8) accumulated in the accumulation zone (16), by the impact of the hammers (6) towards the inlet opening of material to be fragmented (8), of the fragmentation chamber (1).

12. Fragmentation machine, according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fragmentation machine comprises at least one post-fragmentation anvil (12) located in the accumulation zone (16).

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