Bulk Material Conveying Device With Cyclone-Flow Self-Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveying devices for bulk material face challenges in efficient and economical cleaning, leading to time-consuming processes and potential cross-contamination due to infrequent cleaning, which affects device performance and utilization.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of nozzles to blow fluid into areas around the discharge element and pick-up unit, forming a cleaning fluid flow in the manner of a cyclone, allowing for automated and efficient removal of settled and adhering bulk material residues without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cleaning is performed frequently to prevent cross-contamination, then product quality is improved, but device utilization and productivity deteriorate due to time-consuming cleaning processes
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying device cleans itself through an automated cleaning system that uses fluid flow generated by the discharge element to remove bulk material residues. The discharge element creates a fluid flow that flows back along its surface and through the discharge opening to carry away residues, eliminating the need for manual disassembly and cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical cleaning operations are replaced by an automated fluid-based cleaning system. The discharge element generates fluid flow that performs the cleaning function, substituting manual mechanical removal of residues with an automated fluid flow process that occurs during normal operation.
2Reliability
If manual cleaning is performed to remove bulk material residues, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but loss of time and operational downtime increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-cleaning during normal operation without requiring external intervention. The discharge element generates fluid flow that automatically removes residues from hard-to-reach areas, eliminating the need for manual disassembly and cleaning operations that would cause downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning process occurs continuously during normal conveying operation rather than requiring separate cleaning cycles. The fluid flow generated by the discharge element continuously removes residues as material passes through the discharge opening, maintaining cleaning effectiveness without operational interruption.
3Reliability
If the conveying device is disassembled for cleaning to access hard-to-reach areas, then cleaning completeness is improved, but device complexity and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge element generates fluid flow that automatically reaches hard-to-reach areas without requiring device disassembly. The fluid flow flows back along the discharge element surface and through the discharge opening to clean residues in areas that would otherwise require manual access.
Solution Approach 2:
Fluid flow acts as an intermediary medium to reach hard-to-access areas. Instead of manually disassembling the device to access these areas, the fluid flow generated by the discharge element serves as a mediator to transport cleaning action to residues in hard-to-reach locations.
4Reliability
If cleaning is performed manually to ensure thorough cleaning, then cleaning quality is improved, but labor costs and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates manual labor by using the discharge element to generate fluid flow that performs the cleaning function automatically. This self-service mechanism maintains cleaning quality while eliminating labor costs and improving operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical cleaning operations are replaced by an automated fluid-based system driven by the discharge element. This substitution maintains thorough cleaning quality while eliminating labor requirements and improving operational efficiency.
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
Reduces cleaning time and costs, enhances safety, and prevents cross-contamination, enabling flexible cleaning cycles and high device utilization by effectively removing bulk material residues from hard-to-reach areas.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid flow is formed in the area of the discharge element
Implementation Method 2
forming a cleaning fluid flow in the manner of a cyclone
Implementation Method 3
can be removed particularly reliably and easily from parts of the dispensing device that come into contact with the bulk material and be transported away in the main conveying direction
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing device for bulk material, a system comprising a dispensing device and a method for cleaning a dispensing device are provided. The conveying device for bulk material includes at least one pick-up unit for picking up bulk material to be dispensed. At least one discharge area is downstream of the pick-up unit in a main conveying direction and/or into which bulk material can be relocated from the pick-up unit, in particular, via a bulk material outlet opening of the pick-up unit. A discharge element is provided within the discharge area for discharging the bulk material from the discharge area in a direction of a discharge opening of the device. At least one nozzle is provided for blowing fluid into an area existing around the discharge element.