Replaceable Grinding Container Coupling for Sealed Batch Changeover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing grinding devices require extensive and often unsuccessful cleaning processes, especially when dealing with contaminated or toxic substances, leading to significant time losses between consecutive grinding operations due to difficult access and potential substance leakage through seals.

Innovation Solution

A device design where the tool is centered and coupled to the container via a coupling extension and counter-coupling piece with radial projections and undercuts, allowing for easy detachment and replacement, eliminating the need for cleaning by enabling the tool and container to be disposed of or exchanged after use, and featuring a bayonet lock for secure connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the container and tool are permanently connected to the drive, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the cleaning time and operational complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidcleaning time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separable components: the container with tool can be detached from the drive unit. The coupling mechanism includes a coupling extension on the shaft and a counter-coupling piece on the drive, allowing easy separation while maintaining sealing during operation. This segmentation enables the container to be quickly removed for disposal or cleaning without affecting the drive unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The container with tool can be designed as a disposable unit that is discarded after use, especially when processing toxic or contaminated substances. This eliminates the need for thorough cleaning and extends the operational cycle, as a fresh container is simply attached to the drive for the next operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the container and tool are permanently connected to the drive, then the structural stability is improved, but the ease of operation and cleaning accessibility worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidcleaning accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separable components: the container with tool can be detached from the drive unit. The coupling mechanism includes a coupling extension on the shaft and a counter-coupling piece on the drive, allowing easy separation while maintaining sealing during operation. This segmentation enables the container to be quickly removed for disposal or cleaning without affecting the drive unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If the tool is firmly mounted in the container, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool positioning precisionVSAvoidmounting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism serves multiple functions: it centers the tool in the container, provides form-fitting power transmission, enables easy detachment, and maintains sealing. The standardized coupling extension and counter-coupling piece design allows the same mechanism to be used across different container-tool assemblies, reducing overall system complexity despite the precise positioning requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2501481B1Device for comminuting or grinding
Publication Date: 2015.09.02 IKA WERKE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2501481B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2501481B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2501481B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (1) for comminuting or grinding comprising a container (2) for receiving the material to be ground and a tool (5) which rotates in said container (2) during processing, and a drive for said tool (5). The container (2) having the tool (5) can be detachably coupled to the drive, which is to say that the container (2) having the tool (5) does not have to be cleaned after a grinding operation but can be replaced by a new such container (2). For said purpose, the tool (5) located in the container (2) can be rotated loosely when in the position of being detached or uncoupled from the drive or before a corresponding coupling operation and, when in the working position, is rotationally fixedly connected to the drive and centered by means of the coupling.