Inspection Apparatus with Resilient Flaps for Elastic Particle Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inspection apparatuses, such as those disclosed in EP 2 671 651 A1 and EP 2 468 426 A1, are not suitable for accurately sorting unwanted elastic butyl rubber particles due to their sticky and elastic nature, which causes unpredictable bouncing during scanning, leading to inaccurate removal.
Innovation Solution
An inspection apparatus featuring a conveyor belt feeding particles into a fall channel with resilient flaps that dissipate kinetic energy, allowing particles to transition from a horizontal to a vertical movement, reducing horizontal rebounding and enabling accurate sorting of unwanted particles using a detection system and deflection means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional inspection apparatus with rigid channels is used for elastic particles, then the apparatus structure is simple, but the particles bounce unpredictably during scanning reducing sorting accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies flexible flaps made of elastomeric material within the inspection apparatus. These flaps are resilient and can deform to accommodate elastic particles, preventing unpredictable bouncing while maintaining control over particle movement during scanning. The flexible nature of the flaps allows them to absorb particle elasticity without requiring complex rigid structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the channel surfaces by coating them with elastomeric materials. This modifies the interaction between the particles and the channel walls, reducing unpredictable bouncing. The elastomeric coating provides a compliant surface that adapts to particle elasticity, improving measurement precision without significantly increasing device complexity.
2Productivity
If force is applied to elastic particles for removal, then particles can be sorted, but elastic particles bounce away in unpredictable directions reducing removal accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
Flexible flaps are positioned to intercept particles after detection. When particles need to be removed, the flaps can be actuated to gently guide or deflect particles in a controlled manner rather than applying force that causes unpredictable bouncing. The elastomeric nature of the flaps ensures controlled interaction with elastic particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric flaps act as intermediaries between the detection system and the particle removal mechanism. Instead of directly applying force to particles for removal, the flaps mediate the interaction, using their flexibility to control particle deflection and prevent unpredictable bouncing, thereby improving removal accuracy while maintaining productivity.
3Ease of manufacture
If rigid channel walls are used for particle conveyance, then the apparatus is easier to manufacture, but sticky elastic particles agglomerate and foul the surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent lines the channel walls and flaps with elastomeric materials that have non-stick properties. These flexible surfaces prevent sticky elastic particles from adhering and agglomerating, reducing fouling. The elastomeric coating creates a surface that particles can slide over without sticking, maintaining ease of manufacture while solving the fouling problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite structures combining rigid support structures with elastomeric surface coatings. This allows the apparatus to maintain structural integrity and ease of manufacture while the elastomeric surface layer prevents particle adhesion and agglomeration. The composite approach combines the advantages of rigid materials (ease of manufacture) with elastomeric materials (anti-fouling properties).
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 apparatus effectively reduces horizontal rebounding of elastic particles, allowing for precise sorting and removal of unwanted particles with improved accuracy, reducing the risk of misidentification and fouling, and enabling efficient processing of sticky particles.
Implementation Method 1
the flap is resilient in a horizontal direction for dissipating at least a part, particularly a majority, of a kinetic energy of the particle aligned in the horizontal direction
Implementation Method 2
the flap is resilient in a horizontal direction for dissipating at least a part, particularly a majority, of a kinetic energy of the particle aligned in the horizontal direction
Implementation Method 3
a fall channel for letting the particles fall downwards due to gravity
Data Source
AI summary
The teachings herein relate to an inspection apparatus for visual inspection of elastic particles and to methods of inspecting elastic particles. The inspection apparatus employs at least one flap for stopping or reducing a horizontal portion of the movement of particles leaving a conveyer belt. Preferably the flap dissipates a part of the kinetic energy of the elastic particles and/or reducing a horizontal rebound of the elastic particles. The teachings herein may be employed in a method with improved accuracy of sorting elastic particles.