Key Grinding Pan Segment With Inward-Press Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing grinding pan segment systems in roller mills face difficulties in replacing segments due to material penetration and wedging, requiring time-consuming manual removal and machining, especially when comminuted material solidifies and compresses between segments.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a key grinding pan segment with an inner edge longer than the outer edge and a compensating segment, allowing easy removal by pressing inward, combined with a press recess and clamping mechanism, facilitates quick replacement without manual cleaning of compressed material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If standard grinding pan segments with larger outer edge and smaller inner edge are used, then the segments can be easily manufactured with uniform shape, but the segments cannot be removed from the grinding pan due to geometric impossibility of inward pulling and outward pressing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturability of uniform segmentsVSAvoidremovability of segments

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The grinding pan segment is divided into two distinct types: standard segments for normal operation and a special removable segment with inverted geometry. This segmentation allows the system to maintain uniform segments for manufacturing ease while introducing a specifically designed segment that can be removed by pressing inward, resolving the removal difficulty without compromising the manufacturability of the majority of segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The removable segment inverts the conventional geometry by having a smaller outer edge and larger inner edge, opposite to standard segments. This inversion allows the segment to be pressed inward for removal, overcoming the geometric constraint that prevents removal of standard segments while maintaining compatibility with the overall annular grinding track structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If grinding pan segments are tightly fitted to prevent material penetration, then grinding efficiency is improved, but material still penetrates and solidifies between segments making removal difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrinding efficiencyVSAvoidease of segment removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The removable segment is pre-designed with inverted geometry and a press recess that facilitates removal before material solidification becomes a problem. The press recess accommodates a pressing tool that applies force to the segment, enabling removal even when material is present at the joints, thus preventing material solidification from blocking the removal process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A pressing tool is introduced as an intermediary mechanism to remove the segment. The pressing tool fits into the press recess and applies controlled force to press the segment inward, mediating between the operator and the tightly fitted segment. This intermediary tool enables removal of segments even when material has penetrated and solidified at the joints, without requiring manual cleaning or flame cutting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of repair

If manual cleaning and flame cutting are used to remove segments, then segments can be removed despite compressed material, but the process becomes time-consuming taking hours or days

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to remove segmentsVSAvoidreplacement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The manual cleaning and flame cutting process is replaced by a mechanical pressing system. The press recess accommodates a pressing tool that mechanically presses the segment inward for removal, substituting the time-consuming manual cleaning and thermal cutting processes with a simple mechanical action that can be performed quickly without requiring removal of solidified material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Shape

If the grinding track is designed as annular form, then the grinding pan structure is optimized, but the replaceable segments become difficult to remove due to the circular geometry constraining movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveannular grinding track structureVSAvoidsegment removal capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The removable segment introduces asymmetry into the otherwise uniform annular grinding track by inverting its geometry (smaller outer edge, larger inner edge). This asymmetric design allows the segment to be pressed inward for removal, overcoming the constraints imposed by the circular annular geometry that prevents removal of symmetric standard segments, while maintaining compatibility with the overall annular structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS12415187B2Key grinding pan segment, grinding pan segment system, and method for same

Publication Date: 2025.09.16 LOESCHE GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to a replaceable key grinding pan segment for a grinding track of a grinding pan of a roller mill, the grinding track having an annular shape with an outer circumference and an inner circumference around a center point. The length of the inner edge of the key grinding pan segment closer to the center point is greater here than the length of the outer edge further from the center point. The invention also relates to a grinding pan segment system, a roller mill, and a method for replacing grinding pan segments.