Distribution system for an item of equipment for treatment of solid material and item of equipment for treatment of solid material

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for treating bulk solid materials, such as in the food industry, face issues with homogeneous and individualized treatment due to accumulation, leading to uneven freezing, increased dwell time, and reduced efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A distribution system for conveyor belts that uses a comb-like distribution element with rotating rods to disperse solid materials, utilizing the conveyor belt's movement without additional motors, ensuring homogeneous and individualized treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by stationary object

If conventional loading devices are used to continuously load material onto the conveyor belt, then the loading process can be maintained continuously, but the material accumulates at certain points on the conveyor belt due to inability to flow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous loading capabilityVSAvoidmaterial distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by introducing a wave-like movement to the conveyor belt surface. This dynamic movement continuously redistributes the solid material along the belt, preventing accumulation at specific points while maintaining continuous loading capability. The wave motion transforms the static conveyor surface into a dynamic one that actively manages material distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The wave-like movement of the conveyor belt can be interpreted as a form of mechanical vibration or oscillation. This periodic motion disrupts the static accumulation of solid material and promotes uniform distribution across the belt surface, solving the accumulation problem while maintaining continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

2Stability of the object's composition

If wave-like movement of the conveyor belt is used to distribute products, then homogeneous and individualized treatment is achieved, but additional complex mechanisms are required to generate the wave movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment homogeneityVSAvoidconveyor mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wave-like movement mechanism is integrated directly into the conveyor belt system, allowing it to generate its own distributing motion without requiring separate external wave-generating devices. The conveyor structure itself serves the dual function of transporting and distributing the material, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If material accumulates on the conveyor belt during freezing process, then the existing simple conveyor structure is maintained, but the freezing process becomes non-homogeneous and requires longer dwell time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveyor structure simplicityVSAvoidfreezing process efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By introducing wave-like movement to the conveyor belt, the system maintains structural simplicity while dramatically improving freezing process efficiency. The dynamic surface ensures uniform material distribution, which enables homogeneous freezing and reduces the dwell time required for complete freezing, thereby increasing productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If solid material is loaded continuously onto the conveyor belt, then production flow is maintained, but individualized treatment of each element cannot be achieved due to accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous production flowVSAvoidindividualized treatment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The wave-like movement of the conveyor belt surface provides continuous motion that prevents material accumulation while maintaining continuous loading. This dynamic distribution ensures that each solid element is individually positioned and exposed to the treatment environment, enabling both continuous production flow and individualized treatment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The wave movement pre-distributes the material across the conveyor belt surface before the treatment process begins. This preliminary action ensures that each element is properly positioned and spaced, enabling individualized treatment from the start of the process while maintaining continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4357015B1Distribution system for an item of equipment for treatment of solid material and item of equipment for treatment of solid material
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 LAIR LIQUIDE SA POUR LETUDE & LEXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE
  • EP4357015B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4357015B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4357015B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a distribution system and an item of equipment for treatment of solid material that comprises same, wherein said distribution system comprises a means for transmitting movement that is configured to generate a rotating movement; a distribution element comprising a surface parallel to the feeding means on which at least one rod is arranged, perpendicularly, configured to come into contact with the solid material to be treated; a rotating means which connects the means for transmitting movement to the distribution element, configured to generate a rocking or circular movement; and a means for supporting the distribution element; wherein a first end of the distribution element comprises a means for joining to the rotating means, situated on an axis eccentric to the axis of rotation of said rotating means, and a second end, opposite to the first end, is accommodated on the supporting means.