External Rotor Positioning Device for Horizontal Shaft Impact Crushers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotor positioning devices for horizontal shaft impact crushers are either heavy, complex, and require internal access for maintenance, posing safety risks and increasing maintenance challenges.

Innovation Solution

An externally mounted rotor positioning device that allows for manual adjustment and locking of the rotor's rotational position without requiring internal access, using a shaft engager with a multi-toothed configuration and a gearbox for rotational drive, and an alignable indicator for precise positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If an internally mounted powered positioning device is used, then the rotor can be adjusted automatically, but the device adds weight and increases complexity requiring internal access for maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic rotor positioningVSAvoidinternal construction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning device is extracted from the internal mounting location and relocated to an external mounting position on the crusher frame. This allows the device to remain accessible for maintenance while still achieving the positioning function, thereby reducing internal construction complexity and eliminating the need for internal access during servicing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning device is designed as a separate, modular unit that can be independently mounted and removed from the crusher frame. This segmentation allows the positioning function to be separated from the main crusher structure, reducing overall system complexity and enabling easy maintenance without disassembling internal components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If an internally mounted positioning device is used, then rotor positioning can be achieved, but access is required for servicing and maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotor positioning capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning device is extracted from internal locations where it would require disassembly for maintenance, and relocated to an external position on the crusher frame. This external positioning maintains full rotor positioning capability while allowing direct access to the device for servicing without requiring internal access or disassembly of crusher components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If manual adjustment by operator leaning into chamber is used, then rotor positioning is possible, but health and safety risks arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual rotor adjustmentVSAvoidhealth and safety risks
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the operator and the rotor. Instead of the operator directly accessing the rotor within the crushing chamber, the device provides a remote interface that transmits positioning commands to the rotor, thereby eliminating the need for personnel to enter the hazardous chamber while maintaining manual positioning capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The direct manual mechanical adjustment method is replaced with an externally mounted positioning device that uses a rod and indexing mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for operators to physically lean into the crushing chamber, removing them from the hazardous environment while still enabling precise manual rotor positioning through the external device interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3481554B1Rotor positioning device
Publication Date: 2021.01.06 SANDVIK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AB
  • EP3481554B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3481554B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3481554B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A rotor positioning device (113) in a crusher (1) for adjusting a rotational position of a rotor shaft (6). A shaft engager (105) includes a female toothed mating surface (120) for coaxial engagement with a male mating surface (121) at an end of the rotor shaft (6), so they become rotationally interlocked. The shaft engager (105) includes alignable indicator slots (128) that are, in use, alignable with markings (129) associated with an end of the rotor shaft (6), such that said markings become visible through the slots (128) as the rod (104) is rotationally driven by a drive component (107, 108). The markings (129) correspond to hammer positions within the crusher, such that these can be manoeuvred for maintenance (e.g. to top dead-centre positions) before access to the crusher chamber is gained.