Pivotable Feed Chute for Consistent Crushing Throughput

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shredding devices face inefficiencies with steep cutting chamber walls, leading to inconsistent throughput and high energy consumption when handling difficult-to-shred materials, while flat walls result in reduced throughput during retraction.

Innovation Solution

A pivotable cutting chamber wall that adjusts its angle based on load, torque, current, or hydraulic pressure to regulate self-feeding, combined with a pressing device to enhance throughput, allowing adaptation to varying materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a steep cutting chamber wall is used to enable self-feeding of material, then throughput consistency improves, but energy consumption increases and difficult-to-shred materials cannot be processed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethroughput consistencyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting chamber wall is made pivotable around a horizontal axis, allowing its inclination angle to be dynamically adjusted during operation. The control device automatically modifies the angle based on detected operating parameters (load, torque, current, or hydraulic pressure), transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to varying material properties and processing conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The inclination angle of the cutting chamber wall is changed as a controllable parameter. By adjusting this geometric parameter, the system optimizes the balance between self-feeding efficiency and energy consumption. The control device modifies this parameter in response to detected operating conditions, enabling flexible adaptation to different material types and shredding requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If a flat cutting chamber wall is used to reduce pusher contact force, then easy-to-shred materials can be processed, but throughput drops significantly during pusher retraction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepusher contact forceVSAvoidthroughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting chamber wall inclination is dynamically adjusted based on material characteristics and processing requirements. For easy-to-shred materials, the angle is reduced to minimize pusher contact force and energy consumption. For difficult-to-shred materials or when high throughput is required, the angle is increased to enhance self-feeding capability and maintain consistent material flow to the rotor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the geometric parameter of the cutting chamber wall inclination to optimize performance for different material types. This parameter adjustment allows the system to switch between operating modes: a flatter angle for energy-efficient processing of easy materials, and a steeper angle for maintaining throughput with difficult materials or during high-demand operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the cutting chamber wall angle is fixed, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to varying materials and conditions is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidmaterial adaptation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting chamber wall is designed with pivotability around a horizontal axis, adding dynamic adjustment capability while maintaining relatively simple mechanical implementation through pivot joints and hydraulic/c pneumatic actuators. This dynamic feature enables the system to adapt to varying material properties, throughput requirements, and energy consumption targets without requiring complete redesign for different applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable cutting chamber wall creates a multi-functional system that can handle diverse material types (easy-to-shred and difficult-to-shred materials) and operating conditions within a single device configuration. The control device integrates multiple detection capabilities (load, torque, current, or hydraulic pressure sensing) to automatically adjust the wall angle, making the system universally applicable to various shredding scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enhances shredding flexibility and consistency by automatically adjusting the cutting chamber wall angle to optimize throughput and reduce energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

The self-feed of the fed material to the shredding shaft based on its own weight

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3437741B1Crushing device with adjustable feed chute
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 LINDNER MANUEL
  • EP3437741B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3437741B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3437741B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The comminution device (100) according to the invention comprises a feed opening (10) for feeding material to be comminuted, a comminution shaft (20) for comminuting the fed material, and a cutting chamber (30) arranged between the feed opening (10) and the comminution shaft (20), which is bounded by cutting chamber walls (40a, 40b). The comminution device according to the invention is characterized in that the cutting chamber wall (40a) is pivotable. The invention also relates to a corresponding method.