Plastic Granulator Latching Wedge Axial Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plastic granulating devices face difficulties in accessing the perforated plate for maintenance due to the substantial work effort required to remove the cutter head, and existing solutions with quick-release fasteners are not suitable for automation.
Innovation Solution
The use of latching wedges that are transversely displacable to guide sleeves and spars, providing a secure axial connection and allowing for easier handling and maintenance access, with the option of actuation by positioning cylinders for automation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the housing having the cutter head is flanged onto the granulating head, then a tight connection is achieved, but the access to the perforated plate is connected with substantial work effort
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separable modules: the granulating head (with perforated plate) and the housing (with cutter head) can be independently removed from each other. The guide spars and guide sleeves enable axial displacement of the housing relative to the granulating head, allowing the housing to be completely separated for easy access to the perforated plate while maintaining a secure flanged connection during operation.
2Ease of operation
If quick-release fasteners are used to allow easy removal of the cutter head, then ease of operation is improved, but automation is not suitable
Solution Approach 1:
The manual quick-release fasteners are replaced with a positioning cylinder (pneumatic or hydraulic actuator) that automatically actuates the latching wedges. This substitution transforms the mechanical manual release mechanism into an automated system controlled by a positioning cylinder, enabling robotic or automated operation while maintaining the ease of removal benefit.
3Strength
If latching wedges are used to produce axial connection, then sealing conditions are achieved, but transverse displacement is required
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism utilizes motion in a different dimension (transverse displacement) to achieve the primary function (axial connection and sealing). The latching wedges are displaced transversely to the guide spars to engage with oblong holes, creating a mechanical advantage that produces strong axial connection and sealing between the housing and granulating head.
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 simplifies the design and maintenance of the granulating device by enabling easier access to the perforated plate while maintaining a tight connection between components, ensuring operational reliability even in case of actuator failure.
Implementation Method 1
locking units (9), in particular, comprise latching wedges (11), mounted so they are displaceable transversely to the guide spars (7), which produce, with the aid of wedge action, the axial connection
Data Source
AI summary
A device is described for granulating plastic having a granulating head (1) and having a drivable cutter head (4), which cooperates with a perforated plate (2) and is arranged inside a housing (3), and which is movable along an axial guide made of guide spars (7) and guide sleeves (8), which are displaceable on the guide spars (7), and is attachable to the granulating. head (1) via locking units (9). In order to provide advantageous design conditions, it is proposed that the locking units (9) comprise latching wedges (11) mounted so they are displaceable transversely to the guide sleeves (8), which penetrate the guide sleeves (8) and the guide spar (7) in oblong holes (12, 13) in the locking position and are supported in the direction of the spar axis on one side on the guide sleeve (8) and on the other side on the guide spar (7).