Micronizing Apparatus for Super Absorbent Polymer Hydrogel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional micronizing apparatuses for super absorbent polymer hydrogel particles suffer from increased damage due to aggregation and inefficient miniaturization, as the transfer and discharge speeds of hydrogel are not independently controlled, leading to accumulation and pressure on the cutting part.
Innovation Solution
A micronizing apparatus with independently controllable rotation speeds for the screw and cutter, allowing for faster discharge speed than transfer speed to minimize particle accumulation and damage, featuring a body with transfer and discharge spaces, a first rotation shaft with a screw, a hole plate, and a second rotation shaft connected to the cutter, driven by separate motors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the rotation speed of the cutter is increased to increase the number of collisions between hydrogel and cutter, then the particle size is reduced, but the discharge speed of hydrogel does not increase proportionally, leading to accumulation and aggregation in the cutting part
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single motor system into two independent motor systems: one motor controls the screw rotation speed, and another motor controls the cutter rotation speed. This segmentation allows independent optimization of transfer speed and cutting speed, resolving the contradiction where increasing cutter speed caused hydrogel accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic speed control where the cutter rotation speed can be independently adjusted relative to the screw rotation speed. By making the cutter rotate faster than the screw feeds hydrogel, the system dynamically prevents accumulation while maintaining effective cutting, thus reducing particle size without causing aggregation.
2Manufacturing precision
If the rotation speed of the cutter is increased to make hydrogel particles smaller, then the particle size is reduced, but strong pressure is applied to the cutting part due to accumulation, increasing damage to hydrogel particles
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the drive system into two independent motors, the patent enables separate control of hydrogel feed rate and cutter speed. This prevents the harmful accumulation that causes excessive pressure and particle damage while maintaining the high cutter speed needed for fine particle size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements speed coordination where the cutter rotation speed is set faster than the screw feed speed, creating a feedback mechanism that prevents accumulation. This ensures that hydrogel particles pass through the cutting part without excessive dwell time, reducing aggregation and pressure-induced damage.
3Device complexity
If the screw and cutter are connected to one motor and rotate at the same speeds, then the device complexity is reduced, but hydrogel accumulates in the cutting part and vortex becomes slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single motor system into two independent motors, allowing the cutter to rotate faster than the screw. This increases the discharge speed of ground hydrogel, preventing accumulation and maintaining fast vortex formation, thereby improving productivity despite increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by allowing different rotation speeds for the screw and cutter. By setting the cutter speed higher than the screw speed, the system optimizes the discharge rate, ensuring that ground hydrogel is quickly removed from the cutting part, maintaining vortex speed and preventing slowdown.
Data Source
AI summary
A micronizing apparatus for hydrogel of super absorbent polymer includes: a body having a transfer space where hydrogel is transferred, and a discharge space where ground hydrogel is discharged; a first rotation shaft disposed in the transfer space, wherein at least one screw is formed on an outer perimeter surface of the first rotational shaft to transfer the hydrogel along a longitudinal direction of the body; a hole plate fixed to the body and having a plurality of through holes; and a second rotation shaft disposed in the discharge space, wherein a cutter is attached and spaced from the hole plate by a predetermined distance, to grind the hydrogel transferred by the screw, wherein a rotation speed of the first rotation shaft and a rotation speed of the second rotation shaft may be independently controlled.