External Drive Rotor for Compact Grinding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for producing pourable products require a significant height and often damage sensitive products during emptying due to the need for a rotary drive within the rotor axis and the use of suction or opening mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A device with a rotor chamber featuring a supporting collar for vertical force absorption and an external drive system, allowing the rotor to be mounted via a pivot bearing, eliminating the need for a rotary drive within the rotor axis and enabling gentle discharge through an annular gap or flap-like mechanism at the bottom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a rotary drive is placed within the rotor axis to drive the rotor, then the rotor can be driven effectively, but the overall height of the device increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism is extracted from the interior of the rotor axis and relocated to the exterior periphery of the rotor chamber. The drive unit with motor and drive shaft is positioned outside the rotor, connected to the rotor surface through a drive connection, thereby eliminating the need for internal rotary drive components and reducing the overall device height.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive arrangement transitions from a vertical axial configuration (within the rotor axis) to a radial peripheral configuration (on the exterior of the rotor chamber). This dimensional change allows the drive mechanism to be positioned horizontally rather than vertically, reducing the height requirement while maintaining drive functionality.
2Productivity
If suction tubes or opening mechanisms are used to empty the rotor chamber, then the product can be discharged, but sensitive products are damaged during the emptying process
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of actively suctioning or mechanically forcing the product out through complex mechanisms, the system inverts the approach by using gravity as the primary discharge force. The rotor is tilted to position the outlet at the lowest point, and the product flows out passively under gravity, eliminating the harmful effects of active suction or mechanical ejection on sensitive products.
Solution Approach 2:
The emptying mechanism utilizes gravitational potential energy by tilting the rotor to create an equipotential discharge path. The outlet is positioned at the lowest gravitational potential point, allowing the product to flow out naturally without requiring additional energy input or mechanical force that could damage sensitive materials.
3Speed
If the rotor is mounted with bearings inside the rotor axis, then the rotor can rotate smoothly, but the device complexity and height increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing arrangement is extracted from the interior of the rotor axis and relocated to the exterior of the rotor chamber. Pivot bearings are positioned outside, supporting the rotor at its periphery, thereby simplifying the internal rotor structure and reducing the complexity of the overall bearing arrangement while maintaining smooth rotation.
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 reduces the overall height of the device and ensures gentle product discharge without damaging sensitive materials, as the product falls under gravity through a controlled opening, maintaining balance and minimizing mechanical stress.
Implementation Method 1
In the open position and with the rotor rotating, the products are moved out of the rotor chamber through the opening by centrifugal forces.
Implementation Method 2
on its inner wall and perpendicular to the rotor axis, has a supporting collar on which at least one pivot bearing for vertical force absorption is arranged
Implementation Method 3
the product falls under gravity through a controlled opening, maintaining balance and minimizing mechanical stress
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
An assembly for reducing a bulk solid of, e.g. food or animal feed to granular or pellet form, where the assembly has a hopper with funnel delivery to a conical grinding wheel located above a drive motor, where the rotor rests on a pneumatic bearing, the conical gear wheel is powered either by a belt or a friction wheel, and the hopper is discharged by lowering the static rotor (2) allowing the product to fall to a collection system, is new.