Flexible Scraper Chute Cleaning for Gluing Particle Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

The formation of solid adhesions within chutes used for gluing particles in the production of material panels leads to contamination, downtime, and potential damage to equipment, as existing solutions like scraper blades and cooling systems are either ineffective or require complex mechanical constructions.

Innovation Solution

A chute arrangement featuring a flexible scraper element that moves along the inner wall to clean the spatula and can be easily removed for cleaning, combined with a drive mechanism to set the scraper element in motion, preventing the formation of solid deposits and maintaining chute cleanliness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If scraper blades are firmly attached with a support structure to clean the chute inner walls, then larger deposits can be prevented from forming, but new surfaces are introduced that become dirty and require cooling systems to reduce adhesion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of solid deposits on chute wallsVSAvoidcomplex mechanical construction with cooling systems
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the scraper blade movable relative to the chute wall through a lever mechanism. The scraper blade can pivot and adjust its position dynamically, allowing it to effectively clean deposits without requiring a complex fixed support structure. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the scraper to maintain contact with the wall while reducing the need for additional cooling systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the cooling system from the mandatory components by demonstrating that a simplified scraper mechanism can achieve effective cleaning without relying on cooling surfaces. The scraper blade design focuses on mechanical removal of deposits through leverage and motion, taking out the dependency on thermal management systems that were previously considered necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the system is shut down regularly to clean the chute, then contamination and solid deposits can be removed, but production downtime increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechute cleanlinessVSAvoidproduction downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous cleaning action through the scraper blade mechanism that operates during normal production. The scraper is driven by the movement of material through the chute and can be periodically actuated by the lever mechanism to clean the walls continuously or at frequent intervals, eliminating the need for shutdown cleaning and maintaining uninterrupted production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The scraper blade system is designed to be self-actuating through the lever mechanism that utilizes the natural movement and pressure of material flow in the chute. The cleaning action is triggered automatically by the material flow itself, requiring no external power source or manual intervention, thereby enabling continuous autonomous operation during production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a cooling system is implemented to prevent adhesion of binder, then condensate film formation can reduce stickiness, but moisture condensation may be undesirable depending on binder requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion of binder to chute wallsVSAvoidcompatibility with different binder types
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the cooling system entirely from the chute design, replacing it with a mechanical scraper solution. This extraction eliminates the problem of moisture condensation and its incompatibility with certain binder types, while still achieving effective prevention of adhesion through mechanical scraping action during material flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 flexible scraper element effectively prevents the accumulation of solid deposits within the chute, reducing downtime and ensuring consistent product quality by keeping the chute and scraper surfaces clean, while being easily integratable into existing systems.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible scraper element (22) for cleaning the at least one spatula (27), the flexible scraper element (22) being stretched over the inner wall (21a) in the travel path of the at least one spatula (27)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical scraping: Abrasion

Implementation Method 2

drive means (29) are further provided which are designed to set the flexible stripping element (22) into movement in a direction of the longitudinal extent of the flexible stripping element (22)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical actuation: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP2922670B1Fall duct arrangement with a dual cleaning device, in particular for a device for gluing particles in the course of producing material boards
Publication Date: 2018.10.24 DIEFFENBACHER GMBH MASCH UND ANLAGENBAU
  • EP2922670B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2922670B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2922670B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

A fall duct arrangement (20), in particular for a device for gluing particles which consist at least partly of fibers and/or chips suitable for producing material boards, has a fall duct (21), which has an inlet for supplying the particles and an outlet for discharging the particles, and a scraper (27), which is arranged so as to move relative to an inner wall (21a) of the fall duct (21) in order to clean the inner wall (21a). The fall duct arrangement (20) further has at least one flexible stripping element (22) for cleaning the at least one scraper (27), said flexible stripping element (22) being stretched over the inner wall (21a) in the travel path of the at least one scraper (27). In addition, driving means are provided which are designed to move the flexible scraping element in a direction of the longitudinal extension of the flexible stripping element (22). 1469