Flexible Conveying Conduit for Metal Detection Vibration Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Metal detection devices in the food and pharmaceutical industries face challenges due to the need for a damping element to mitigate vibrations and alignment issues, which complicates assembly, increases costs, and can lead to sealing problems during material changes.

Innovation Solution

A metal detection device with a conveying conduit made of flexible material, eliminating the need for a damping element and allowing for vibration absorption and alignment compensation, featuring a flexible sleeve with self-tightening collars and a sealing mechanism using an elastic membrane or peripheral grooves for secure connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid conveying conduit is used, then structural stability is improved, but vibration transmission from the feed unit to the detection device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidvibration transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The conveying conduit is made of flexible material (such as flexible plastic or rubber) instead of rigid material. This flexible conduit absorbs vibrations from the feed unit through its inherent elasticity and damping properties, preventing vibration transmission to the detection device while maintaining structural integrity and stability during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a damping element is interposed between the feed unit and conveying conduit, then vibration transmission is reduced, but device complexity and assembly cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration transmissionVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration damping function is merged directly into the conveying conduit by making the conduit itself from flexible material. This eliminates the need for a separate damping element, reducing the number of components, simplifying assembly procedures, and lowering manufacturing costs while still achieving effective vibration isolation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of repair

If a damping element with removable connections is used, then maintenance access is improved, but sealing reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible conveying conduit is designed to be easily detachable and reattachable at its ends, allowing operators to perform maintenance and cleaning operations themselves without requiring specialized tools or complex procedures. The flexibility and simple connection design enable reliable sealing through straightforward attachment mechanisms that maintain integrity during repeated assembly and disassembly cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Simplifies assembly and reduces costs by eliminating the need for a damping element, ensures secure and vibration-resistant connections, and allows for easy cleaning and material transitions without residue contamination.

Implementation Method 1

When the material feed unit of the device is subject to vibrations... it is necessary to interpose a vibration damping element between the conveyor line and the feed unit. This damping element minimizes the transmission of these vibrations to the metal detection device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 2

said conduit being made of a flexible material... its flexibility compensates for any misalignment between the first end of the conveyor line and the feeding unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

The second end of the conveyor line is generally designed to be connected to the sorting unit by a removable and airtight forcing into an opening in an elastic membrane located at the inlet of this unit. The perimeter of this opening is smaller than that of the second end of the conveyor line and conforms to its overall profile.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2249185B1Device for detecting metals in materials passing through it
Publication Date: 2021.03.17 PHARMA TECH SA
  • EP2249185B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2249185B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2249185B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The device (I) has a detection unit (1) including inlet and outlet orifices (2a, 2b) between which a space (3) permitting passage of materials is provided, and a conveying conduit (4) placed in the passage space for conveying the materials through the detection unit. Two ends of the conduit emerge from the detection unit through the inlet and outlet orifices, respectively, and the conduit is made of a flexible elastic material e.g. rubber, PVC and silicon based material. One of the ends is connected in a detachable and sealed manner to a sorting unit (6) that sorts the materials.