Gemstone Dispensing Wheel With Elastomeric Teeth

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dispensing mechanisms for gemstones, such as air jets and push bars, are inefficient and prone to errors, particularly when handling small melee diamonds, as they require time to reset, are inaccurate, and can cause electrostatic charging issues, limiting the throughput of sorting apparatuses.

Innovation Solution

A dispensing apparatus featuring a wheel with asymmetric teeth that rotates above a horizontal surface, using a motor and sensor to accurately dispense gemstones by deforming the teeth upon contact with the surface, ensuring minimal contact and precise control for reliable and efficient removal without flicking or jamming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If air jets are used for dispensing gemstones, then reset time is eliminated, but accuracy deteriorates and electrostatic charging issues arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereset timeVSAvoiddispensing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the pneumatic air jet system with a mechanical brush wheel system. The brush wheel with flexible bristles mechanically contacts and propels gemstones off the disc surface, eliminating the need for compressed air while providing precise, controllable dispensing without electrostatic charging issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and properties of the dispensing mechanism from pneumatic (air jets) to mechanical (flexible bristles). The bristles are made of elastomeric material that can be compressed and rebound, changing the dispensing mechanism from gas-based to solid-material-based, which eliminates electrostatic issues while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If push bars are used for dispensing gemstones, then device complexity is reduced, but throughput deteriorates due to reset time requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanism complexityVSAvoidthroughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The brush wheel system operates continuously as the disc rotates, with bristles constantly engaged with gemstones on the surface. Unlike push bars that require resetting after each dispense, the brush wheel maintains continuous contact and propulsion action, eliminating idle reset time and maximizing throughput while keeping the mechanism simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If flap vanes are used for dispensing gemstones, then device complexity is reduced, but throughput deteriorates due to reset time requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanism complexityVSAvoidthroughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The brush wheel system operates continuously as the disc rotates, with bristles constantly engaged with gemstones on the surface. Unlike push bars that require resetting after each dispense, the brush wheel maintains continuous contact and propulsion action, eliminating idle reset time and maximizing throughput while keeping the mechanism simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Loss of time

If air jets are used for dispensing multiple gemstones, then reset time is eliminated, but part separation requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereset timeVSAvoidpart separation distance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state and properties of the dispensing mechanism from pneumatic (air jets) to mechanical (flexible bristles). The bristles are made of elastomeric material that can be compressed and rebound, changing the dispensing mechanism from gas-based to solid-material-based, which eliminates electrostatic issues while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution enables high-throughput dispensing of gemstones without stalling or heating issues, ensuring accurate placement into collection bins, even for small stones, by minimizing contact and wear, and preventing electrostatic charging, thus enhancing the efficiency of gemstone sorting processes.

Implementation Method 1

The wheel comprises one or more bristles made from an elastomeric material... At least a portion of the bristle is deformed by contact with the moving horizontal surface... the material of the bristle returns to its original shape

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The apparatus comprises a motor, configured to rotate the wheel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3585527B1Dispensing and sorting apparatus for gemstones, and according methods

Publication Date: 2022.03.23 DE BEERS UK LTD

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Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3

AI summary

A dispensing apparatus for dispensing gemstones from a horizontal moveable surface is provided. The apparatus comprises a wheel, which is arranged to rotate about a horizontal axis located above the surface. The wheel comprises one or more teeth disposed around an outer circumference. A motor is configured to rotate the wheel and a sensor is configured to identify when one of the teeth is located at a predetermined position so as to indicate that the wheel is in a home position. The wheel is arranged so that a gap is defined between the surface and the wheel when the wheel is in the home position. One of the teeth comes into contact with a gemstone as the wheel rotates away from the home position, and pushes the gemstone off the surface.