Impact Mill Adjustable Inlet Chute for Grinding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing horizontal axis impact mills face inefficiencies due to high energy consumption and wear on parts, particularly the secondary rotor blades, as material is dragged along the connecting wall, leading to suboptimal launching and increased maintenance needs, which are not adaptable to material properties or wear states.

Innovation Solution

The impact mill design includes an adjustable portion on the connecting wall that allows for varying the inlet direction of material into the grinding chamber based on wear and material properties, optimizing the launch trajectory and reducing energy expenditure by minimizing the working stroke of the secondary rotor, with adjustable elements that can be manually or automatically regulated.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the secondary rotor blades drag material along the entire extension of the connecting wall to convey it to the grinding chamber, then the material can be transported from the inlet chamber to the grinding chamber, but high energy consumption and wear on the blades occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial conveying capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption of secondary rotor
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the spatial arrangement by positioning the inlet chamber at the bottom rather than laterally, and introduces an adjustable chute that directs material along the side wall to the top of the grinding chamber. This dimensional reorganization allows material to be conveyed with minimal dragging along the connecting wall, reducing energy consumption while maintaining conveying capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an adjustable chute with variable inclination angle that can be dynamically regulated. This dynamic element allows the system to adapt the material flow path and angle according to material properties and wear states, optimizing energy efficiency while maintaining effective material conveying

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the secondary rotor blades drag material along the connecting wall, then material transport is achieved, but wear on the blades and connecting wall occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial conveying capabilityVSAvoidservice life of secondary rotor blades
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent repositions the inlet chamber at the bottom and uses an adjustable chute to direct material along the side wall to the top of the grinding chamber. This spatial reorganization minimizes the contact between material and the secondary rotor blades, significantly reducing wear on both the blades and connecting wall while maintaining material conveying capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable chute with variable inclination angle allows the system to adapt to different material properties and wear states. By optimizing the flow path dynamically, the system reduces unnecessary rubbing and extends the service life of the secondary rotor blades

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the secondary rotor conveys material from bottom to top along the connecting wall, then material is delivered to the grinding chamber, but the launching angle is suboptimal and independent of material properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial delivery to grinding chamberVSAvoidadaptability to material properties
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an adjustable chute with variable inclination angle that can be dynamically regulated according to material properties such as specific weight and humidity. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to optimize the launching angle for different materials, improving grinding efficiency while maintaining reliable material delivery to the grinding chamber

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the inclination angle parameter of the chute to optimize material launching. By adjusting this geometric parameter according to material properties and wear states, the system achieves adaptable and optimized material delivery angles, overcoming the fixed suboptimal angle of conventional designs

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

This design enhances grinding efficiency by optimizing the launch phase and reducing wear and energy consumption, allowing for better adaptation to material properties and wear states, while simplifying maintenance and operation.

Implementation Method 1

a secondary rotor (12) moveable in rotation around a second axis Y

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotational motion:

Implementation Method 2

at least one main rotor (4) moveable in rotation around a first axis X and provided with at least two crushing elements (7) adapted to impact the material to be ground

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP3687694B1Impact mill for grinding loose material
Publication Date: 2021.08.25 MARCHETTI
  • EP3687694B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3687694B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3687694B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The impact mill (1) for grinding loose material, comprises: a first body (2) defining a grinding chamber (3) inside which is housed at least one main rotor (4) moveable in rotation around a first axis (X); a second body (10) defining an inlet chamber (11) of the material to be ground communicating with the grinding chamber (3) and inside which is housed at least one secondary rotor (12) moveable in rotation around a second axis (Y), the secondary rotor (12) being adapted to send the material to be ground inside the grinding chamber (3); the inlet chamber (11) and the grinding chamber (3) being delimited by at least two side walls (5, 13) arranged substantially transversely to the first and second axis (X, Y) respectively, and by at least one connecting wall (6, 14) interposed between the respective side walls (5, 13) to surround at least partly the relevant rotor (4, 12), the first and second axis (X, Y) being arranged substantially horizontal and parallel to each other; wherein the inlet chamber (11) is arranged laterally to the grinding chamber (3) and they communicate to each other by means of a connecting opening (16) defined on the respective connecting walls (6, 14),the connecting opening (16) being arranged at the lower portion of the inlet chamber, so that the material sent from the secondary rotor (12) is directed from the bottom of the inlet chamber towards the grinding chamber (3) and the connecting wall (14) of the inlet chamber (11) having at least one adjustable portion (14a) moveable in rotation, during use, around an axis of adjustment (Z) to vary the inlet direction of the material to be ground inside the grinding chamber (3).