Agitator Shaft Guard With Split Shells for Fast Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protection devices for agitator shafts are cumbersome to handle, difficult to clean, and time-consuming to install/remove, often inadequately used, leading to safety risks and contamination between stirring batches.
Innovation Solution
A multi-part shell protection device with form-lock connected half-tube shell parts and manually releasable closures, specifically designed for easy installation, removal, and cleaning, ensuring safe operator protection without rotating with the agitator shaft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed or lockable protection devices are used to prevent access to rotating parts, then operator safety is improved, but handling complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to complicated and cumbersome handling
Solution Approach 1:
The protection device is divided into two separable half-shells that can be easily assembled and disassembled around the agitator shaft. This segmentation allows the protection device to be quickly installed and removed without complex tools, maintaining safety while improving ease of operation.
2Reliability
If telescopic pipes or bellows are used as protection devices, then operator safety is improved, but cleaning efficiency and productivity deteriorate due to time-consuming removal and difficulty in cleaning impurities
Solution Approach 1:
The protection device consists of two separable half-shells that can be easily removed from the agitator shaft. This segmentation enables quick disassembly and straightforward cleaning of the interior surfaces, eliminating the time-consuming removal process required for telescopic pipes and bellows while maintaining safety protection.
3Reliability
If bellows are used as protection devices, then operator safety is improved, but contamination control and purity deteriorate due to impurities remaining in folds and between concentric tubes
Solution Approach 1:
The protection device uses two smooth-walled half-shells instead of bellows with folds or telescopic pipes with gaps. This segmented design eliminates crevices where impurities could accumulate, allowing complete cleaning and preventing carry-over contamination between different stirring batches while maintaining safety.
4Reliability
If replaceable half shells with mounting parts are used, then operator safety is improved, but ease of operation and time consumption deteriorate due to requirement of tools for attachment and detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The protection device comprises two half-shells with simple complementary features that allow manual assembly and disassembly without tools. The segmented design incorporates easy-connect interfaces that enable quick installation and removal by hand, eliminating the need for workshop tools while maintaining effective safety protection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a safe, easy-to-use, and cost-effective protection device that prevents operator contact with rotating agitator shafts, facilitates quick cleaning, and reduces contamination risks, enhancing compliance with safety regulations.
Implementation Method 1
The protection device comprises two or more shell parts which are form-lock connected to each other by one or more manually releasable closures that are present at least at the upper part of the protection device
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a protection device for an agitator shaft of an agitator, including an upper part, which serves for form-lock-fastening of the protection device to a part of an agitator head, which does not rotate during operation of the agitator; and a lower part, which serves for contactless covering of the agitator shaft; where the protection device includes two or more shell parts which can be form-lock-connected to each other by one or more manually releasable closures. Also described herein is a method of using the protection device for protecting operating personnel from getting into contact with a rotating agitator shaft of an agitator; and an agitator including an agitator shaft attached thereon, a part of an agitator head which does not rotate during operation of the agitator and the protection device attached thereon.