Magnet Device for Feed Mixers with Movable Separator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnet devices in feed mixing wagons and stationary feed mixers face challenges in achieving high separation rates of metal parts while also making it difficult to remove the separated metal parts due to strong adherence, which increases the risk of injury and damage.
Innovation Solution
A magnet device with a movable separator that changes its operating position to weaken the magnetic field, allowing for easy removal of metal parts without tools, featuring a combination of permanent and electromagnets, and a housing with a mounting system for secure placement on mixing augers or discharge conveyors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If very powerful magnets are used to maximise the separation rate, then the separation rate is improved, but the adherence of separated metal parts becomes very strong making removal difficult and dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The magnet system is segmented into multiple independent magnets (first magnet and second magnet) with different magnetic field strengths. The first magnet provides strong magnetic field for effective separation, while the second magnet provides weaker magnetic field that allows easy removal of separated metal parts. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by distributing the magnetic function across multiple components with different characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the magnet device have different magnetic field strengths tailored to specific functions. The first magnet region has strong magnetic field quality for maximising separation rate, while the second magnet region has weaker magnetic field quality for facilitating easy removal. This local differentiation of magnetic field strength resolves the contradiction between strong adherence for separation and weak adherence for removal.
2Ease of operation
If electromagnets are used that can be switched off for removal of separated metal parts, then ease of removing metal parts is improved, but electrical energy must be supplied to the rotating mixing auger which is undesirable or not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical control system (electromagnets that can be switched off) with a mechanical system (permanent magnets with different field strengths). Instead of using electrical energy to control magnetic field activation, the system uses mechanically arranged permanent magnets where the weaker second magnet naturally allows easy removal without requiring energy input. This substitution resolves the contradiction by eliminating electrical energy requirements while maintaining ease of operation.
3Productivity
If the magnet is arranged to maximise separation rate, then separation effectiveness is improved, but the mixing process is disturbed
Solution Approach 1:
The magnet device is positioned locally at the discharge end of the mixing auger rather than throughout the mixing zone. This local placement allows the magnet to effectively capture metal parts from the discharged feed without interfering with the mixing process in the hopper. The first magnet provides strong separation at the discharge point while the second magnet facilitates removal, resolving the contradiction between separation effectiveness and mixing stability.
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 solution enables effective separation and easy removal of metal parts, reducing the risk of injury and damage, while maintaining the mixing process integrity by adjusting the magnetic field strength and using non-magnetic or weakly magnetic materials for the separator.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one magnet must be arranged in such a way that the metal parts to be separated are effectively separated and continue to adhere to the at least one magnet despite the rotation of the mixing auger
Implementation Method 2
holding them in place through the naturally or electrically generated magnetic effect
Implementation Method 3
The magnet device comprises at least one permanent magnet and at least one electromagnet
Data Source
AI summary
A magnet device for a feed mixing wagon including at least one magnet and a separator. The separator and the at least one magnet are arranged so that they can move relative to one another in order to be brought from a first operating position into a second operating position. The separator is arranged in the first operating position relative to the at least one magnet in such a way that the separator shields the at least one magnet, so that metal parts to be separated from feed are pulled onto the separator by the magnet and held thereon. The separator is spaced further apart from the at least one magnet in the second operating position than in the first operating position.