Extruder Cutting Apparatus With Upward Cyclonic Discharge

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting devices for extruders require pipes or hoses below the cutting tool for material discharge, complicating cleaning and causing material deformation due to vertical air flow, which affects product quality.

Innovation Solution

The cutting apparatus features inlet and outlet pipes that open into the housing from above and extend upwards, creating a cyclonic flow to gently discharge material, allowing hoses and pipes to be positioned above the device for easy cleaning and reducing material impact on housing walls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If pipes or hoses are arranged below the cutting tool for material discharge, then material can be collected and conveyed, but cleaning of the building becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning accessibilityVSAvoidpipe arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning inlet and outlet pipes above the cutting tool instead of below it. The pipes extend upwards from the housing, allowing material discharge through the top rather than the bottom, thereby eliminating the need for complex below-floor piping and enabling easy cleaning of the building interior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If air stream flows vertically downward through the cutting device, then material can be discharged, but material deformation occurs due to impact against housing walls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial discharge efficiencyVSAvoidproduct quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional vertical downward air flow by implementing upward flowing air streams through inlet and outlet pipes positioned above the cutting tool. This reversal changes the discharge mechanism from gravity-assisted downward flow to upward cyclonic flow, eliminating material impact against the housing bottom wall and preserving product quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs pneumatic principles by using pressurized air streams flowing through the inlet and outlet pipes to generate cyclonic motion within the cutting device. The upward flowing air creates a vortex that gently transports shredded material outward and upward, replacing the harmful vertical downward impact flow with a gentle rotational discharge mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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

This design facilitates easy cleaning, enhances product quality by minimizing material deformation, and improves discharge efficiency through a cyclonic flow.

Implementation Method 1

the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe are arranged in such a way that a passing air stream creates a cyclone flow within the cutting device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclonic flow: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 2

an air stream is usually passed through the cutting device, which discharges the material through an outlet opening located at the bottom of the cutting device with the aid of gravity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4424489B1Cutting apparatus for extruder and process for producing an extruded material
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 BUHLER AG
  • EP4424489B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4424489B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4424489B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The present invention relates to a cutting apparatus (5) for a food or feed extruder (1), comprising a housing (6) with a cylindrical interior (6a), a cutting tool (10), a product inlet (9) at one end of the housing (6), wherein the cutting tool (10) and the product inlet (9) are arranged coaxially in the housing (6), an inlet pipe (7b) and an outlet pipe (7a), wherein the inlet pipe (7b) and the outlet pipe (7a) open into the housing (6) from above and extend upwards away from the housing (6), and are inclined towards each other at least in a section connected to the housing (6) and open obliquely into opposite lateral areas of the interior (6a).