Coupled Suction Supply Channel Air Recirculation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional suction devices for machining processes are energy-intensive and inefficient in particle removal, often requiring separate compressed air supplies for blasting and filtration, which increases energy consumption and operational costs.

Innovation Solution

A suction device with a coupled suction and supply channel system recirculates processed air for blasting, reducing the need for separate compressed air and utilizing a pre-separator for coarse filtration, allowing for energy savings and improved particle collection without the need for high-purity air filtration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If separate compressed air supply and fine filtration system are used for blasting and particle removal, then particle elimination effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle elimination effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the suction channel and supply channel into a coupled system where processed air from the suction channel is routed back to the supply channel for blasting. This integration eliminates the need for separate compressed air supply and fine filtration systems, reducing energy consumption while maintaining particle elimination effectiveness through the recirculation of cleaned air

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent recovers processed air that has passed through the pre-separator and work area, routing it back through the supply channel for continued use in blasting. This recovery approach prevents waste of already-cleaned air and reduces the energy required for continuous particle removal, as the system reuses air that has already served its primary filtration function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Quantity of substance

If fine filtration system is used for air treatment, then air purity is improved, but air resistance and system cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair purityVSAvoidair resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different filtration qualities to different locations in the system: a pre-separator is placed at the suction channel inlet to remove coarse particles, while the air is then used for blasting without requiring fine filtration. This local quality approach matches the filtration level to the specific needs of each system section, reducing air resistance and energy loss while maintaining sufficient air purity for the blasting function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the purity parameter requirements for air used in different system functions. Air extracted through the suction channel is sufficiently cleaned by the pre-separator for its intended purpose of blasting, eliminating the need for additional fine filtration. This parameter adjustment reduces air resistance and energy consumption while maintaining adequate air quality for the specific application

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If air is recirculated through coupled suction and supply channels, then energy savings are achieved, but particle deposition risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy savingsVSAvoidparticle deposition risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes continuous air flow through the coupled suction and supply channels, with processed air being constantly recirculated through the work area. This continuous action prevents particle accumulation and deposition by maintaining constant air movement, while the pre-separator continuously removes coarse particles, thereby achieving energy savings without increasing particle deposition risk

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the pre-separator as an intermediary component between the suction channel and the recirculation path. This intermediary device removes coarse particles from the air before it is recirculated through the supply channel, preventing particle deposition on workpieces while allowing the energy-efficient recirculation system to operate effectively

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 enhances machining efficiency by effectively eliminating particles, reducing energy consumption, and minimizing the need for costly fine filtration systems, while ensuring safe air recirculation and compliance with explosion limits.

Implementation Method 1

a suction channel for removing air together with the chips or dust to be suctioned off from the machining area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

a pre-separator for filtering, in particular for coarse filtering, is provided. This pre-separator filters the air extracted via the extraction channel. Depending on the type of processing, the pre-separator can be designed, for example, as a centrifugal force separator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Implementation Method 3

the pre-separator can be designed, for example, as a centrifugal force separator, as a gravity separator or as a dust extractor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity separation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 4

a supply duct for supplying air to the machining area... the feed channel is designed to directly irradiate a tool or workpiece in the machining area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompressed air flow: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3083136B1Exhaust device and machine tool
Publication Date: 2018.05.30 SCHUKO HEINZ SCHULTE SUDHOFF
  • EP3083136B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3083136B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3083136B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An exhaust device (1, 20, 40) is proposed for exhausting particles (8, 29), such as chips and/or dust from the processing area during the machining of wood, fiber, or composite materials or plastics and/or during the dry processing of metal materials, comprising an exhaust channel (9, 27, 47, 56, 66) for exhausting air together with the chips and/or dust to be exhausted from the processing area. In order to be able to save energy and for a better detection/extraction of the chips/dust, a supply channel (17, 28, 46, 57, 65) is provided for supplying air into the processing area, and the exhaust channel and the supply channel are coupled to each other, such that at least a part of the air exhausted via the exhaust channel is guided into the supply channel for recirculation of the air into the processing area, and the supply channel is designed for this purpose, and a tool (5, 24, 45, 53, 64) and/or workpiece (7, 26, 41, 55, 67) is to be directly illuminated in the processing area (50).