Blade mill
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing knife mills face issues such as material sticking to the container walls, significant volume loss during comminution, difficulty in handling due to heavy gravity lids, contamination of structural components, and complex cleaning processes, especially with temperature-sensitive materials and liquids.
Innovation Solution
A knife mill design featuring a horizontally rotating blade with a vertically displaceable compressor that can be axially thrust into the comminution container using a gravity-independent thrust mechanism, allowing for flexible control of compression forces and easy handling and cleaning, along with a ventilation device to prevent liquid ingress into the drive shaft area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a gravity lid is used to compress material, then compression force is provided, but the lid becomes very heavy and difficult to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the gravity-based compression system with a motor-driven compressor that applies compressive force through a thrust mechanism. The motor (28) drives the compressor (24) axially into the comminution container (22) through a thrust mechanism (26), eliminating the need for heavy gravity-based lids while maintaining effective compression force on the material.
2Force
If a gravity lid is used, then material is compressed before comminution, but the compression force cannot be changed and the lid cannot be pushed up by material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic compression system where the motor (28) can be controlled to adjust the compression force applied by the compressor (24). The thrust mechanism (26) allows the compressor to be pushed axially into the container with variable force, and the motor can be stopped or reversed to allow material to push the compressor up, providing adaptability during the comminution process.
3Productivity
If the knife rotates at high speed, then comminution effectiveness is improved, but liquid escapes and contaminates the drive shaft area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the drive mechanism from the area susceptible to liquid contamination. The motor (28) is positioned outside the comminution container (22), and the drive shaft passes through a sealed opening in the container bottom. This separation prevents liquid that escapes during high-speed comminution from reaching and contaminating the motor and drive shaft area.
4Productivity
If the compressor is pushed into the container, then the working space is reduced and comminution is improved, but the compressor becomes difficult to remove for cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamically adjustable compressor system that can be moved between positions. The motor (28) drives the compressor (24) axially into the comminution container (22) through the thrust mechanism (26) during operation to improve comminution efficiency. When cleaning is required, the motor can be stopped and the compressor easily removed from the container, providing both operational effectiveness and maintenance accessibility.
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 design enhances comminution efficiency by reducing material loss and sticking, improves handling and cleaning ease, prevents contamination, and maintains the integrity of temperature-sensitive materials, while ensuring effective liquid management.
Implementation Method 1
a thrust mechanism which pushes the compressor towards the blade into the comminution container by the compressor being subjected to a predefined, gravity-independent, axial thrust force by the thrust mechanism
Implementation Method 2
a ventilation device which generates an overpressure in the comminution container by rotating the knife
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
The invention relates to a blade mill, comprising a grinding container and a compressor, which is displaceable in the grinding container for compressing the grinding material, wherein the insertion of the compressor is effected by means of a pusher mechanism. The invention also relates to a blade mill comprising a compressor which can be releasably suspended on a holding device by means of a surmountable retaining force. The invention further relates to a blade mill having an at least two-part blade, a ventilation device and a dual labyrinth seal.