Coin Sorting Roller Mechanism for Bulk Metal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sorting apparatuses are inefficient in sorting coins from bulk metal, particularly from waste incinerator slag, with high coin loss and low throughput rates, and are not cost-effective due to high investment costs and limited capacity.
Innovation Solution
A sorting apparatus utilizing a conveyor belt and rollers to create a sorting slot, where coins are conveyed horizontally while non-coin metal is removed on both sides, preventing jamming and increasing throughput, with rollers rotated to apply a force away from the sorting slot, allowing for high-volume, cost-efficient sorting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensor technology with air nozzles is used to recognize and blow out coins on a moving belt, then coin recognition is achieved, but throughput is limited to less than 100 kg/h with high coin loss of more than 25%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the sensor-based recognition system with a purely mechanical sorting system. Instead of using sensors to detect coins and air nozzles to blow them out, the invention uses a mechanical roller system that physically separates coins from non-coin metal through a sorting slot, achieving both high throughput and low coin loss through mechanical means alone
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sorting function from the complex sensor-air nozzle system and isolates it into a simple mechanical roller system. By removing the unnecessary sensor and air nozzle components, the system achieves higher throughput while maintaining coin recognition capability through the mechanical sorting action alone
2Adaptability or versatility
If known sorting apparatuses with conveyor belts and rollers are used, then some sorting capability is achieved, but they are not suitable for sorting coins from waste incinerator slag fraction and have limited throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal sorting system that can handle various types of bulk metal including waste incinerator slag, non-ferrous metal, and heavy metal. The mechanical roller system with adjustable sorting slot is designed to be adaptable to different material compositions and sizes, making it suitable for sorting coins from diverse bulk metal fractions while maintaining high throughput capability
3Extent of automation
If complex sensor technology and air nozzle systems are implemented, then coin sorting capability is achieved, but investment costs are approximately 1 million Euros per ton of throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive automated sensor and air nozzle systems with a simple, cost-effective mechanical roller system. This substitution eliminates the need for costly electronic components while achieving the same coin sorting function through mechanical means, significantly reducing investment costs per ton of throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simple, inexpensive mechanical components such as rollers and sorting slots that can be easily manufactured and replaced, replacing the need for expensive, complex sensor systems. This approach prioritizes cost-effectiveness and ease of manufacture while maintaining adequate sorting performance
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 achieves significantly higher throughput rates, reducing coin loss to less than 1% and lowering investment costs, enabling efficient sorting of coins from bulk metal, including non-ferrous and heavy metals, with the ability to handle large volumes of metal.
Implementation Method 1
the roller, in particular a brush, preferably rotates opposite the conveying direction or applies a force to the metal parts in a direction away from the sorting slot
Data Source
AI summary
A sorting apparatus for sorting out coins from bulk metal, in particular from non-ferrous bulk metal and/or heavy bulk metal, includes a conveying system, provided with a conveyor belt (2), for conveying the bulk metal in a conveying direction (4) to a sorting slot (14) through which coins can pass and which is defined by a roller (10, 11), and, on the side opposite the roller (10, 11), by the conveyor belt (2), wherein the roller (10, 11) can be rotated about an axis of rotation (6, 7, 30, 31) by a drive such that the metal, which cannot be conveyed through the sorting slot (14) in the conveying direction (4), can be transported by the roller (10, 11) in a direction (13, 19, 22) leading away from the sorting slot (14) such that the metal can be removed at the side, wherein the sorting apparatus further comprises an apparatus for removing the metal, which is not conveyable through the sorting slot (14) in the conveying direction (4), and wherein the apparatus is embodied such that the removal of the metal to the two opposite sides of the conveyor belt takes place in an area in conveying direction (14) upstream of the roller (10, 11).