Permanent Magnet Motor Direct Drive Flotation Machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing flotation machines have inefficiencies in power transmission due to belt drives or gear boxes, require large space, incur high maintenance costs due to complex structures, and are prone to wear from abrasive dust, and have difficulties with air supply arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A direct drive system using a permanent magnet motor with integrated bearings and a simplified structure that eliminates the need for separate bearing units and reduces space requirements, while allowing for easy air supply through the motor's hollow rotor axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a belt drive or gear box is used to drive the drive shaft, then the drive shaft can be rotated, but the power transmission efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the belt drive and gear box transmission components from the system, directly connecting the electric motor to the drive shaft. This extraction of unnecessary transmission elements eliminates power losses and simplifies the overall structure, directly resolving the contradiction between power transmission efficiency and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the electric motor and drive shaft by eliminating intermediate transmission components. The motor shaft is directly coupled to the drive shaft, combining what were previously separate functional elements into a unified direct-drive system, thereby improving efficiency and reducing complexity.
2Volume of moving object
If a belt drive or gear box is used, then the drive shaft can be driven, but large space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the large-size belt pulleys and gear box components that occupied significant space. By eliminating these transmission elements, the overall volume required for the drive system is dramatically reduced, directly addressing the space utilization problem.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using intermediate transmission components to transfer power, the patent inverts the approach by implementing direct coupling. The motor shaft directly drives the drive shaft without intermediate elements, fundamentally changing the power transmission architecture to save space.
3Force
If a V-belt drive is used, then power can be transmitted, but high internal stresses are induced in the support structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the V-belt drive system that generated high internal stresses in support structures. By extracting this problematic transmission element and replacing it with direct coupling, the harmful stress forces are eliminated while power transmission functionality is maintained through a more efficient path.
4Reliability
If a complex combination of electric motor and V-belt drive or gear box and bearing unit is used, then the drive shaft can be driven, but the structure becomes complex with many parts susceptible to wearing and failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes multiple components from the system: the V-belt drive, gear box, and separate bearing unit. This extraction reduces the number of parts that can wear or fail, thereby improving reliability while simultaneously simplifying the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the bearing functions into the motor assembly itself, eliminating the need for a separate bearing unit. This consolidation reduces the total number of components and potential failure points, directly improving reliability while reducing structural complexity.
5Object-affected harmful factors
If a V-belt drive is used, then power can be transmitted, but abrasive dust causes wearing of the V belt and pulleys
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the V-belt and pulley components that are directly exposed to and damaged by abrasive dust from the flotation process. By extracting these vulnerable elements and replacing them with a direct-drive system, the harmful wear effect is eliminated while power transmission continues through the more robust direct coupling.
6Ease of operation
If air supply is arranged through a separate support bearing unit, then air can be supplied to the hollow drive shaft, but the structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the air supply function with the motor structure by routing air through the motor housing and directly into the drive shaft. This integration eliminates the need for a separate support bearing unit for air supply, simplifying the structure while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor housing and structure are designed to serve multiple functions: mechanical support, bearing support, and air supply conduit. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components, reducing structural complexity while maintaining operational simplicity.
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
This solution enhances power transmission efficiency, reduces maintenance needs, and provides a lightweight, compact design that is less susceptible to damage from abrasive dust, with improved reliability and easier air supply arrangements.
Implementation Method 1
a permanent magnet motor (9), being supported by a separate supporting framework (10), which comprises a stator (12), being attached to the said framework above the flotation cell, and a rotor (13), the periphery of which comprises a number of permanent magnets, the rotor being fixedly connected to the said rotor axis
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The flotation machine includes a flotation cell (1), which comprises a vertical side wall (2) and a bottom (3), and which is upwards open. An air distribution and mixing device (4) is arranged in the vicinity of the bottom for distributing air to the slurry for forming froth and mixing the slurry in the flotation cell. The air distribution and mixing device includes a rotor part (5) that comprises air distribution apertures (6). A drive shaft (7) extends vertically in the flotation cell. The rotor part (5) is attached to the lower end of the drive shaft (7). The drive shaft comprises a hollow interior (8), which constitutes a flow channel for conducting flotation air to the air distribution holes (6) of the rotor part. An electric motor (9) is arranged to rotate the drive shaft (7). The electric motor is supported by a separate supporting framework (10), which is on top of the flotation cell. The electric motor (9) is a permanent magnet motor that comprises a vertical rotor axis (11), the lower end of which is in permanent contact directly with the upper end of the drive shaft (7).