Fine Comminutor With Adjustable Serrated Cutting Gap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing comminution devices are inadequate for achieving fine comminution of difficult-to-process materials like long-fibre materials, manure, or grass silage, as they primarily perform coarse comminution and struggle to break down fibers into short parts.
Innovation Solution
A comminution device with serrated cutting edges on multiple circular paths and an adjustable cutting gap mechanism, allowing for precise control over the cutting action to achieve either fine or coarse comminution based on material needs, utilizing serrated cutting edges and an adjustment mechanism to optimize cutting efficiency and material processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a fixed circular perforated disc with a rotating blade is used for comminution, then coarse comminution is achieved, but fine comminution of difficult-to-ferment materials is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The second cutting element is segmented into multiple jags (at least three) arranged around the circular path, each jag having radially inner and outer flanks. This segmentation allows the cutting action to be distributed and optimized for fine comminution while maintaining the overall circular cutting path geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The second cutting element is made axially displaceable relative to the first cutting elements through an adjustment mechanism. This dynamic adjustment allows the cutting gap to be varied, enabling the device to adapt between coarse and fine comminution modes depending on material requirements.
2Manufacturing precision
If the cutting gap is reduced to minimum for fine comminution, then cutting precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to adjustment mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism changes the axial position parameter of the second cutting element relative to the first cutting elements. By varying this single parameter (axial position), the cutting gap can be precisely controlled from minimum contact to larger gaps, achieving fine to coarse comminution without complex multi-parameter control systems.
3Productivity
If serrated cutting edges are implemented to increase cutting action length, then cutting efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting edges are designed with serrated geometry featuring radially inner and outer flanks that are inclined at angles to the axis of rotation. This curved/serrated geometry increases the effective cutting action length along the material flow path while being manufacturable through standard machining processes for inclined surfaces.
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 device effectively and efficiently achieves fine comminution of challenging materials by increasing the cutting action length with serrated edges and adjustable cutting gaps, ensuring uniform processing and minimizing material retention, while maintaining simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
solids passing through the holes are comminuted by a shearing action between the blade edge and an edge delimiting the respective hole
Implementation Method 2
a drive for rotatably driving the second cutting element about the axis of rotation
Implementation Method 3
an adjustment mechanism by means of which the plurality of first cutting elements and the second cutting element are axially displaceable in the direction of the axis of rotation relative to each other such that a cutting gap between them is adjustable
Data Source
AI summary
A comminution device comprises a plurality of first cutting elements having first serrated cutting edges disposed on a first circular path; a second cutting element having a second serrated cutting edge corresponding to the first serrated cutting edges for cutting through cutting material, the second cutting element being displaceable about an axis of rotation on a second circular path concentric with the first circular path. The second serrated cutting edge comprises a plurality of jags and each jag comprises a radially inner flank and a radially outer flank, each at an angle to the axis of rotation. A drive rotationally drives the second cutting element about the axis of rotation and an adjustment mechanism by which the plurality of first cutting elements and the second cutting element are displaceable relative to each other axially in the direction of the axis of rotation, that a cutting gap between them is adjustable.