Fixed Knife Assembly Adjustment Mechanism for Shredders

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing size reduction machines, such as shredders and granulators, face challenges in easily mounting and demounting fixed knives for maintenance, leading to complex operations and prolonged downtime due to the need for precise positioning and secure fixing.

Innovation Solution

The knife assembly features knife holders that extend below the knife seat with transverse studs and adjustment sleeves, allowing for easy adjustment and secure positioning by tensioning or loosening the sleeves to push or pull the knife towards or away from the rotor, facilitated by back lock nuts and forward lock nuts for precise alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fixed knives are secured with through-going fixing means and adjustment screws, then the knife is firmly fixed in position, but the mounting and demounting operation becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefirm fixing of knifeVSAvoidcomplexity of mounting operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing system is divided into separate components: a fixing member with fixing screws that attach to the knife holder, and the knife holder itself that secures the knife. This segmentation allows the knife to be firmly fixed through the fixing member while simplifying the overall mounting and demounting process, as the components can be assembled and disassembled independently without complex operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The knife holder is designed with movable and adjustable features that allow dynamic positioning of the knife. The fixing member can be adjusted to secure the knife at different positions, and the entire assembly can be easily mounted or demounted by loosening or tightening the fixing screws, transforming a static complex fixing system into a dynamic easily-adjustable system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If adjustment screws are used to position the knife, then precise positioning is achieved, but the adjustment operation becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precision of knifeVSAvoidtime for adjustment operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The knife holder is pre-adjusted to the correct position during manufacturing or initial setup. When the knife needs to be mounted or adjusted, the holder is simply positioned and secured with the fixing member, eliminating the need for time-consuming adjustments during each mounting operation while maintaining precise positioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing member with its fixing screws serves a dual function: it both secures the knife holder in position and maintains the precise positioning simultaneously. The design allows the positioning to be self-maintaining through the fixing mechanism, eliminating the need for separate adjustment operations that would consume additional time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3235571B1Fixed knife assembly
Publication Date: 2018.11.28 RAPID GRANULATOR
  • EP3235571B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3235571B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3235571B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A knife assembly for a size reduction machine, such as a shredder or a granulator (1) includes a rotor (4), wherein a knife (10) is fixed on a seat (13) and arranged for cooperation with a number of knives (9) on the rotor (4). The fixed knife (10) is planar with a general plane of extension. The fixed knife (10) is held by at least two knife holders (15), which are arranged to displace the knife (10) in a direction which is approximately parallel with its plane of extension.