Flour Sifting Brush Modules for Clog-Resistant Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flour sifting devices face issues with clogging of sifting holes, leading to reduced efficiency and accuracy in separating fine and coarse flour, and the use of rotating flexible brushes can result in over-sifting of fine flour and potential blockage by flour lumps.
Innovation Solution
A flour sifting device with a rotating brush comprising discrete flexible brush elements arranged in a screw conveyor configuration, where each element is part of removable brush modules, and optionally combined with stirring elements or counter-helical orientations to enhance sifting efficiency and prevent clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the diameter of flour sifting holes is made very small to separate particles with large diameters and sift fine flour, then sifting precision is improved, but the flour sifting holes become more easily clogged
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating brush is divided into multiple discrete flexible brush elements distributed along the rotary brush shaft, with each element independently capable of brushing the sifting holes. This segmentation allows the brush to effectively clear clogged holes without requiring the entire brush to be replaced, maintaining both sifting precision and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible brush elements are designed to be flexible rather than rigid, allowing them to adapt to the geometry of the sifting holes and effectively brush away clogged material. The dynamic flexibility of the brush elements enables them to maintain contact with the holes while being rotated, preventing clogging without compromising the small hole diameters needed for fine flour separation.
2Reliability
If rotating flexible brushes are used to brush the flour sifting holes and transport coarse flour sideways, then clogging is reduced, but fine flour may be over-sifted before leaving the machine
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible brush elements are strategically distributed along the rotary brush shaft at specific locations where they brush the sifting holes. This local positioning ensures that the brushing action occurs at the appropriate locations to prevent clogging while minimizing unnecessary transport of fine flour away from the sifting holes, thereby maintaining optimal sifting efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The brush elements are designed to provide just enough brushing action to prevent clogging without excessive transport of fine flour. The pitch and distribution of the helical brush elements are optimized to create a balanced effect where coarse flour is effectively removed but fine flour is not unnecessarily displaced, achieving the minimum necessary action for clogging prevention.
3Reliability
If a continuous rotating brush is used to transport flour lumps away from sifting holes, then clogging is prevented, but flour lumps may get stuck between the brush elements
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating brush is segmented into discrete brush elements rather than being a continuous solid brush. This segmentation creates gaps between the elements that allow flour lumps to pass through without getting stuck, while the helical arrangement maintains the screw conveyor effect for transporting coarse flour. The segmented design eliminates the blocking problem while preserving clogging prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The brush elements are made of flexible material that can bend and deform to accommodate flour lumps of various sizes. This flexibility allows the brush to conform to the shape of flour clumps and transport them smoothly without creating binding points, while still maintaining the helical screw conveyor action for effective flour transport.
4Productivity
If the brush elements are arranged in a helical configuration to act as a screw conveyor, then coarse flour is transported sideways, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The helical brush arrangement is segmented into discrete, identical brush elements that can be independently manufactured and then assembled along the rotary brush shaft. This segmentation simplifies the manufacturing process compared to creating a single complex helical brush, while the helical arrangement of the segments maintains the screw conveyor functionality for efficient flour transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The discrete brush elements are designed as universal components that can be easily replicated and assembled along the shaft. Each element performs the same function of brushing and transporting flour, allowing the system to achieve complex helical motion through simple repeated units, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining productivity.
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 design improves sifting efficiency and accuracy by reducing clogging, ensuring effective separation of fine and coarse flour while allowing easy cleaning and replacement of damaged parts.
Implementation Method 1
the helical arrangement of the flexible brushes acts as a screw conveyor and transports coarse flour or lumps of flour sideways away from the flour sifting holes
Implementation Method 2
The rotating brush comprises a first plurality of discrete flexible brush elements that are distributed on said rotating shaft and extend therefrom in a radial direction with respect to said rotating shaft
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A flour sifting device (1), comprising: a flour sifting tank being provided with a flour sifting trough with flour sifting holes at the bottom; a rotating brush located inside the flour sifting tank having a rotating shaft (7*) and devised to brush the flour sifting holes; wherein the rotating brush comprises a first plurality of discrete flexible brush elements (12c*) that are distributed on said rotating shaft (7*) and extend therefrom in a radial direction with respect to said rotating shaft (7*) in such a way that collectively they form a screw conveyor with a circular outer contour; said brush elements (12c*) being arranged on a second plurality of separate identical brush modules (12*), each brush module (12*) comprising a number of said brush elements (12c*), preferably an equal number of said brush elements (12c*), wherein the brush modules (12*) are individually and removably mounted or mountable on the rotating shaft (7*).