Flip-Flow Screen Mat Elastic Connection Dampens Whiplash

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flip-flow screening machines struggle to effectively screen extremely fine-grained materials due to the limitations of conventional polyurethane screen mats, which are prone to clogging and damage from alternating compression and stretching, while fine plastic fabric mats lack sufficient elongation to withstand the whiplash effect, leading to reduced screening performance and increased downtime.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a connection element with greater elongation at break between the fine plastic screen mat and the crossbeams of the screening machine, such as a spring element or a clamping element with a plastic bed, to dampen the whiplash effect and prevent mat damage, allowing for the use of fine plastic fabric screen mats with smaller mesh sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If fine plastic fabric screen mats are used to achieve smaller mesh sizes for extremely fine-grained materials, then screening precision is improved, but the mats lack sufficient elongation to withstand the whiplash effect, leading to reduced reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemesh sizeVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines fine plastic fabric screen mat with elastic connection elements (spring elements or elastomeric materials) to create a composite system. The plastic fabric provides the fine mesh structure for precise screening, while the elastic connection elements provide the necessary elongation and flexibility to withstand the whiplash effect during alternating compression and stretching cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic connection elements act as intermediaries between the fine plastic fabric screen mat and the crossbeams. These connection elements absorb and dampen the mechanical stresses generated during operation, protecting the fragile fine mesh structure from damage while maintaining its screening function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional polyurethane screen mats are used to ensure robustness and durability, then reliability is improved, but the punching process limits the minimum screen opening diameter, preventing effective screening of extremely fine-grained materials

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidscreen opening diameter
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical punching process (which has minimum diameter limitations) with a weaving or knitting process for creating the screen mat structure. This substitution enables the production of fine plastic fabric screen mats with much smaller mesh sizes that cannot be achieved through conventional punching methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines fine plastic fabric with elastic connection elements to create a composite structure that achieves both fine mesh sizes and the durability normally associated with conventional polyurethane mats. The elastic connection elements compensate for the lower inherent durability of the fine plastic fabric.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Device complexity

If fine plastic fabric screen mats are used without elastic connection elements, then device complexity is reduced, but the whiplash effect causes mat damage and reduced screening performance

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestructureVSAvoidscreening performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic connection elements serve as intermediaries that are relatively simple in structure but provide critical protective function. They are integrated into the existing crossbeam system without requiring major structural changes, adding minimal complexity while significantly improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic connection elements provide beforehand cushioning by being pre-installed between the screen mat and crossbeams. They are designed to absorb and dampen the whiplash effects before they can cause damage to the fine plastic fabric screen mat, preventing mat damage and maintaining screening performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

Enables the use of fine plastic fabric screen mats in flip-flow screening machines without reducing durability, preventing clogged grain formation and maintaining optimal screening performance, even with extremely fine-grained materials.

Implementation Method 1

via at least one connection element to the assigned first crossbeam and/or is connected to the associated second cross member, which has a greater elongation at break compared to the fine screen mat made of plastic fabric

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP1957210B1Flexible fine screen mat and flip-flow screening machine with flexible fine screen mat
Publication Date: 2015.08.19 BINDER CO AG
  • EP1957210B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1957210B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP1957210B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Flip-flop screening jig comprising a first moved system, having a first transverse member (2), and a second moved system, having a second transverse member (4), wherein the first and second moved systems are arranged movably in relation to each other and at least one screening mat (5) is provided, fastened both to an assigned first transverse member and to an assigned second transverse member, in order to achieve alternating compressing and stretching of the screen mats (5). In order to ensure the durability of the fine screen mats in spite of a whiplash effect, it is provided that the screen mat (5) is formed as a fine screen mat produced from plastic woven fabric and is connected to a first transverse member (2) and/or a second transverse member (4) in each case by means of at least one joining element (6, 7, 8), which has a greater elongation at break than the fine screen mat (5) produced from plastic woven fabric.