Conductive Straw Supply Hopper Dissipates Static Charge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional straw packaging systems for animal semen face challenges in static electricity generation during the processing of plastic straws, leading to electrostatic charging and difficulties in the supply and positioning of straws on movable supports.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an electrically conducting supply hopper with an inclined bottom wall and a separator system, featuring a mechanical and electrical connection interface, establishes an equipotential connection to dissipate static electricity, ensuring the straws are not electrostatically charged, thus facilitating their smooth supply and positioning on a movable support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional plastic straws are used in the supply and positioning system, then the straws can be easily manufactured and handled, but static electricity is generated during processing which causes electrostatic charging and positioning difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the equipotentiality principle by making the supply hopper, separator system mounting, and separator system movable part all electrically conducting and electrically connected to each other and to ground. This creates an equipotential region that prevents electrostatic charging of the plastic straws during handling and positioning, while maintaining the ease of manufacture benefit of using conventional plastic straw materials.
2Reliability
If the supply hopper and separator system components are made electrically conducting to prevent electrostatic charging, then electrostatic problems are eliminated, but the device complexity increases due to additional electrical connection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrical connection function with the existing mechanical structure by integrating electrical connection members into the supply hopper and separator system mounting. The electrical connections are combined with the mechanical assembly operations, so that when components are mechanically assembled, electrical connectivity is simultaneously established without requiring separate electrical installation steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The supply hopper and separator system components serve dual functions: their mechanical structure performs the original supply and separation functions, while their electrically conducting properties and electrical connections simultaneously perform the electrostatic prevention function. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated electrostatic control components.
3Manufacturing precision
If a separator system with movable parts is used to position straws, then positioning precision is improved, but static electricity generation increases due to increased contact and movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies equipotentiality by making the separator system movable part electrically conducting and electrically connected to the mounting and supply hopper. This ensures that as the movable part contacts and separates straws during positioning operations, no electrostatic charge accumulates, thereby maintaining positioning precision without suffering from static electricity generation caused by the movable separation mechanism.
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 effectively prevents electrostatic charging of the straws, enhancing the efficiency and convenience of their supply and positioning, thereby improving the overall performance of the processing installation for filling and welding.
Implementation Method 1
said supply hopper comprises an inclined bottom wall formed at least partly from electrically conducting material... said separator system further comprises a mounting and a mechanical connection interface configured to mechanically fasten said movable part to said mounting, said movable part and said mounting being formed at least partly from electrically conducting material... said supply and positioning device further comprises a first electrical connection member directly connected both to said inclined bottom wall of said supply hopper and to said mounting of said separator system
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a feeding and positioning device (5) for straws (2) for packing animal semen on a support (4), with a feeding hopper (20) having an inner space (21) which receives the straws and is partially delimited by an inclined and electrically conductive bottom wall (38), an evacuation chute (22) with an inlet orifice, which opens into said inner space, and with an outlet orifice opposite said support, a disentangling system (25) having an electrically conductive and movable part configured to come into contact with said straws and to set them in motion in said inner space, an electrically conductive support, and a mechanical connection interface of said movable part on said support, and electrical connection elements which are directly connected, respectively, to said bottom wall and said support and to said movable part and said support.