Movable Feed Conveyor and Stowable Screening Unit for Compact Material Processing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing material processing apparatuses, such as crushing machines, face inefficiencies in space utilization due to their large size, particularly when switching between feeding and transport modes.
Innovation Solution
A material processing apparatus with a movable feed conveyor and a deployable screening unit, where the feed conveyor can transition between advanced and retracted states, and the screening unit can be stowed beneath the feed conveyor to reduce overall size, utilizing pivotable linkage mechanisms and power-operable actuators for efficient movement between modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the feed conveyor is made movable between advanced and retracted states, then the apparatus can switch between direct feed and pre-screening modes, but the device complexity increases due to additional mechanisms required
Solution Approach 1:
The feed conveyor assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it can advance to feed material directly to the crusher, retract to allow screening operation, and position itself at different heights. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making a single component handle multiple operational modes, thereby increasing adaptability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The feed conveyor is made dynamically adjustable between fixed and movable states, allowing it to transition between advanced and retracted positions. This dynamic capability enables the apparatus to switch between operational modes efficiently, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity through controlled motion rather than multiple permanent structures
2Volume of moving object
If the screening unit is made deployable and stowable beneath the feed conveyor, then the overall apparatus size is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional deployment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The screening unit is designed to nest beneath the feed conveyor assembly when in the stowed position. This nesting arrangement allows the screening unit to be stored within the space occupied by the feed conveyor, significantly reducing the overall apparatus volume while the integration into the existing structure minimizes the complexity of deployment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The screening unit is positioned in the vertical dimension beneath the feed conveyor rather than occupying horizontal space. This dimensional reorganization allows the apparatus to maintain a compact footprint while accommodating the screening function, resolving the contradiction between reduced size and mechanism complexity
3Volume of moving object
If the feed conveyor assembly is made movable between lowered and raised positions, then the apparatus achieves compact configuration for transport, but the ease of operation decreases due to manual adjustment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical adjustment of the feed conveyor assembly is replaced with a powered actuator system that automatically raises and lowers the assembly between transport and operational positions. This substitution resolves the contradiction by eliminating manual effort requirements while achieving the compact transport configuration, thereby improving ease of operation without sacrificing volume reduction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A material processing apparatus comprising: a base; a first material processing unit, for example a crusher; a feed conveyor; and a second material processing unit, for example a screening unit. The feed conveyor and the second material processing unit are both movable with respect to the first material processing unit and with respect to each other so that material can be fed into the first material processing unit directly from the feed coneyor, or indirectly from the feed conveyor via the second material processing unit. The second material processing unit can be stored beneath the feed conveyor when not in use.