Conical Crusher-Mill Apparatus for In-Line Particle Size Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current milling technologies require multiple equipment stages and are difficult to clean, especially in industries like pharmacy and biotechnology, where cross-contamination must be avoided, and are not easily integrated for in-line processing.
Innovation Solution
A compact, modular crusher device with a frusto-conical shape and impellers with specific blade configurations, along with a milling device, allows for efficient size reduction and easy cleaning, integrating crusher and milling functions in a single apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple equipment stages are used for size reduction, then particle size can be reduced to desired dimensions, but device complexity and cleaning difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a crusher device with a frusto-conical hollow part and a milling device with a sieve into a single integrated apparatus. The crusher device processes material lumps while the milling device simultaneously performs size reduction through the sieve, eliminating the need for multiple separate equipment stages and achieving both coarse and fine particle size reduction in one unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated apparatus performs multiple functions: the crusher device handles initial size reduction of material lumps, while the milling device with its sieve performs further size reduction and classification. This multi-functional design allows a single apparatus to replace multiple specialized equipment, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precise particle size control.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional milling equipment is used, then size reduction is achieved, but cleaning becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is designed with separable components including the crusher device with impellers and the milling device with sieve. This segmentation allows individual components to be easily removed and cleaned separately, significantly reducing cleaning time and effort compared to traditional integrated milling equipment where all parts are difficult to access for cleaning.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple equipment stages are used, then comprehensive size reduction is achieved, but integration for in-line processing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The crusher device and milling device are merged into a single integrated apparatus with the crusher positioned above the milling device. Material flows directly from the crusher through the sieve of the milling device, creating an in-line processing configuration that eliminates the need for material transfer between separate equipment stages and simplifies integration into continuous production lines.
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 apparatus effectively reduces material size from up to 36000 cm³ to particles below 250 microns in diameter, enhancing efficiency and cleanliness, while preventing clogging and allowing for in-place cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
a crusher impeller rotatably mounted on the crusher spindle... for crushing material lumps introduced into the hollow part
Implementation Method 2
a frusto-conical shape narrowing downwardly... crushing material lumps introduced into the hollow part
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus (100) for reducing the size of material, comprising a milling device (17) containing a sieve (19) and a milling impeller (21) being rotated relative to the interior wall surface of the sieve (19); and a crusher device (40) containing a hollow part (1) of frusto-conical shape narrowing downwardly, a crusher spindle (5) rotatably mounted coaxial with the hollow part (1), at least one crusher impeller (9, 30) rotatably mounted on the crusher spindle (5), and a crusher driving device for rotatably driving said at least one crusher impeller (9, 30) relative to said first hollow part (2); wherein said milling device (17) is vertically connected below the crusher device (40), and wherein during a reducing operation, said material is first crushed by the crusher device (40) by rotating said at least one crusher impeller (9, 30), and milled by the milling device (17) by rotating the milling impeller (21).