Filter Unit With Internal Brushing For Chip Conveyor Filtration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current chip conveyors either lack filtration, allowing small chips to pass into the coolant reservoir, or are inefficient and expensive due to complex self-cleaning scraper conveyor arrangements, particularly failing to effectively filter long chips and maintain high fluid flow.
Innovation Solution
A filter unit with internally located brushes that mechanically brush and jolt the filtration element to remove chips, allowing for high fluid throughput and filtration down to 50 μm or lower, integrated into a chip conveyor system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If self-cleaning scraper conveyors are used to filter chips, then filtration capability is improved, but device complexity increases and long chips cannot be effectively filtered
Solution Approach 1:
The filter unit is segmented into distinct functional zones: a filtration element with filtration regions for filtering chips, a brush region with rotating brushes for cleaning the filtration element, and a jolt mechanism for dislodging wedged chips. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently without requiring a complex integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter unit implements self-service through automated cleaning mechanisms. The rotating brushes continuously clean the filtration element surface, and the jolt mechanism automatically dislodges chips that become wedged in the weave, eliminating the need for manual intervention and maintaining consistent filtration performance.
2Measurement precision
If filtration elements with small openings are used to filter small chips, then filtration precision is improved, but fluid flow is reduced due to clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The brush cleaning mechanism performs preliminary action by continuously removing chips from the filtration element surface before they can accumulate and clog the small openings. This preventive cleaning maintains high fluid flow rates while allowing the use of fine filtration elements with small openings for filtering chips down to 50 μm or lower.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating brushes provide continuous cleaning action throughout the filtration process, ensuring that the filtration element surface remains clear of chips at all times. This continuous maintenance of the filtration surface allows sustained high fluid flow rates without interruption from clogging.
3Ease of repair
If self-cleaning scraper conveyors are used, then maintenance needs are reduced, but they fail to effectively remove chips wedged in the filtration mesh
Solution Approach 1:
The jolt mechanism introduces mechanical vibration and sudden movement to the filtration element, creating forces that dislodge chips wedged in the weave of the filtration mesh. This vibration-based approach effectively removes stubborn chips that static or gentle cleaning mechanisms cannot eliminate.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system combines two different cleaning mechanisms: rotating brushes for surface cleaning and a jolt mechanism for deep penetration cleaning. This composite approach addresses different types of chip accumulation, ensuring comprehensive chip removal while maintaining reliable filtration performance.
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 provides a simple, efficient self-cleaning mechanism that maintains high fluid flow and effectively filters small chips, reducing maintenance needs and enhancing the performance of chip conveyors across various applications.
Implementation Method 1
at least one brush located inside of the filter unit, the brush being arranged to brush the filtration element to remove cutting chips from clogging the filtration element
Implementation Method 2
the brush being arranged to brush the filtration element to remove cutting chips from clogging the filtration element
Data Source
AI summary
A filter unit, or more specifically, a filter box for a chip conveyor for conveying cutting chips that are produced in the operation of a machine tool, such as a lathe or the like. More specifically, the exemplary filter unit has at least one internally located brush that is used for removing different types of chips contained in a coolant fluid and/or cutting oil used in machine tools during metal working through mechanical brushing and jolting the surface of the filtration element(s) of the filter unit. A chip conveyor and a method of filtering cutting fluid in a filtering chip conveyor is also disclosed.