Blowing Device Pressure Reservoir Dust Infiltration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sorting machines face issues with dust particles being sucked into the flow channel after the solenoid valve closes, leading to increased wear and reduced service life, due to abrupt pressure drops and vacuum creation, which cannot be effectively addressed without compromising sorting accuracy or increasing the complexity of nozzle arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A device with a pressure reservoir connected via branching channels to the flow channels, allowing compressed air to be branched off and stored during valve activation, ensuring backflow compensation only when valves are active, thus preventing dust entry and maintaining high sorting accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the solenoid valve closes abruptly to stop compressed air flow quickly, then the sorting precision is improved, but dust particles are sucked into the flow channel due to vacuum generation, increasing wear and reducing valve service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a counter-flow channel that supplies compressed air in advance to compensate for the vacuum effect. When the solenoid valve closes abruptly, the counter-flow channel immediately provides air flow in the opposite direction to prevent dust particles from being sucked into the flow channel, thus protecting the valve from wear while maintaining sorting precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The counter-flow channel acts as an intermediary element between the solenoid valve and the flow channel. It mediates the harmful vacuum effect by introducing compressed air that counteracts the negative pressure, preventing dust particles from reaching the valve tappet while allowing the valve to close quickly for precise sorting.
2Loss of time
If the distance between the valve seat and the nozzle orifice is reduced to improve response time, then the switching time is shortened, but the pressure drop becomes more abrupt, generating vacuum and sucking in dust particles
Solution Approach 1:
The counter-flow channel serves as an intermediary that mitigates the harmful vacuum effect caused by the short distance between valve seat and nozzle. It introduces compressed air to counteract the negative pressure generated during rapid valve closing, preventing dust particle infiltration while maintaining the short switching time necessary for efficient sorting.
Solution Approach 2:
The counter-flow channel applies preliminary anti-action by supplying compressed air that opposes the vacuum effect before dust particles can be sucked into the flow channel. This counter-flow of air prevents the harmful effect of dust infiltration while allowing the valve to maintain its short switching time.
3Reliability
If the solenoid valve closing time is extended to prevent vacuum formation, then dust particle infiltration is reduced, but the pressure drop becomes slower, affecting sorting accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The counter-flow channel performs preliminary action by supplying compressed air to compensate for vacuum formation during valve closing. This allows the valve to close quickly for accurate sorting while the counter-flow prevents dust particle infiltration by maintaining positive pressure in the flow channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The counter-flow channel acts as an intermediary that decouples the relationship between valve closing speed and dust particle infiltration. It allows the valve to close quickly for sorting accuracy while the counter-flow of compressed air prevents vacuum formation and dust infiltration, protecting valve durability.
4Productivity
If more solenoid valves are arranged on the sorting width to improve sorting coverage, then the sorting capability is enhanced, but the compressed air consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the main flow channel with the counter-flow channel into a single integrated system. The counter-flow channel uses the same compressed air supply but directs it in the opposite direction when needed, allowing multiple valves to operate with reduced overall air consumption by utilizing the counter-flow mechanism to prevent dust infiltration without requiring additional air for each valve.
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
This solution prevents dust particles from entering the flow channel, reduces compressed air consumption, and extends the service life of solenoid valves by using the pressure reservoir to refill and manage air flow, ensuring precise and efficient sorting without additional control effort or maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one connecting channel branches off from a plurality of flow channels, which opens into at least one pressure reservoir common to the connecting channels, which is closed gas-tight and/or liquid-tight except for the connecting channels
Implementation Method 2
a conventional solenoid valve usually consists of a valve stem and a return spring for restoring the valve stem and an electromagnet, which causes the opening movement of the valve stem
Implementation Method 3
a conventional solenoid valve usually consists of a valve stem and a return spring for restoring the valve stem
Implementation Method 4
When the solenoid valve is switched off, the pressure drop in the flow channel that is as rapid as possible is desired, which quickly ends the flow. When the control electronics open the solenoid valve, a flow of compressed air builds up in the flow channel, starting from the valve seat, in the direction of the nozzle orifice. Due to the abrupt closing when the solenoid valve is switched off, a vacuum or negative pressure is generated in the flow channel due to the inertia of the air column.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for blowing a gaseous or liquid medium at individual pieces of a material flow that are conveyed over a free-fall path or a link conveyor, comprising a housing (12) having at least one connection opening (1) for the gaseous or liquid medium, and a plurality of blowing nozzles (7), by means of which the gaseous or liquid medium is blown at predetermined individual pieces of the material flow in a controlled manner, and valves, preferably solenoid valves (3), which are associated with the blowing nozzles (7) and by means of which the blowing process can be triggered and/or stopped and which are arranged on or at least partially in the housing, and a flow channel (4) between each blowing nozzle (7) and the valve seat of the valve (3) associated with the blowing nozzle (7). In order to reduce the suction of dust into the flow channel (4) after the valve has been switched off, at least one respective connecting channel (5) branches off from each of a plurality of flow channels (4), which connecting channel opens into at least one pressure reservoir (6), which is common to the connecting channels (5) and is or can be closed in a gas-tight or liquid-tight manner with the exception of the connecting channels (5).