Pneumatic Scrap Conveyor Motor Venting to Prevent Stall Jamming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing scrap removal devices face issues with wear and frequent maintenance due to the use of elastic springs and piston-based systems, leading to 'stall conditions' and jamming, which can cause production line disruptions and material accumulation.

Innovation Solution

A pneumatic motor with a vent opening that allows continuous fluid discharge from driving chambers, preventing 'stall conditions' and minimizing pressure differences to enhance movement reliability and reduce maintenance needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If elastic springs are used to enable reciprocating motion, then the device can achieve oscillatory movement, but wear on the springs leads to failures and frequent maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoscillatory movement capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the elastic springs from the system entirely and replaces them with a pneumatic actuator that uses compressed air to generate reciprocating motion. This extraction of the problematic spring component eliminates the wear issue while maintaining the oscillatory movement capability through direct pneumatic actuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical spring-based oscillation system with a pneumatic system using compressed air. The pneumatic actuator directly drives the reciprocating motion without mechanical contact components that wear, thus substituting a mechanical system with a pneumatic one to improve reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If material accumulates on the container during stall conditions, then the container fills up, but this causes interference with upstream machine operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operation capabilityVSAvoidproduction line throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent ensures continuous reciprocating motion through direct pneumatic actuation, preventing stall conditions where material would accumulate. The continuous back-and-forth movement of the actuator wall continuously transports material, eliminating interruptions that would cause accumulation and subsequent interference with upstream operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

By replacing the mechanical piston system with direct pneumatic actuation, the patent eliminates the stalling behavior that led to material accumulation. The pneumatic system provides smoother, more reliable continuous motion that prevents material buildup and maintains production line throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 increases the reliability and flexibility of scrap removal systems, reducing maintenance interventions and preventing jamming, thereby minimizing production line disruptions and material accumulation.

Implementation Method 1

a first driving chamber (C1) and a second driving chamber (C2) which are respectively in fluid communication with the inlet opening (I) and with the second plugging assembly (4)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

an elastic return element (M3) which is active on the second plug (7) so as to promote a passage thereof from the inflow position to the outflow position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

an actuation spring (M1) active on the actuator (2) so as to promote a movement from the forward position to the backward position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic potential energy: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP4194706A1Pneumatic motor and object conveyor, in particular for removing scraps

Publication Date: 2023.06.14 BORDIGNON SRL

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AI summary

A pneumatic motor (1) comprising: an actuator (2) at least partially mobile in an actuation chamber (CA); a first plugging assembly (3) defining a first driving chamber (C1) and a second driving chamber (C2) and comprising a first plug (5) reversibly movable at least between an enabling position and an obstructing position; a second plugging assembly (4) defining a third driving chamber (C3) in fluid communication with the second driving chamber (C2) and an inflow/outflow chamber (CX) in fluid communication with the actuation chamber (CA). In particular, the inflow/outflow chamber (CX) has a first opening (A1) and a second opening (A2) respectively in fluid communication with the inlet opening (I) and the outlet opening (O) of the motor (1). In addition, the second plugging assembly (4) comprises a second plug (7) reversibly movable at least between an inflow position, in which it allows a fluid communication between the inflow/outflow chamber (CX) and the first opening (A1), and an outflow position, in which it allows a fluid communication between the inflow/outflow chamber (CX) and the second opening (A2). In particular, the first plugging assembly (3) and/or the second plugging assembly (4) have a vent opening (S) adapted to promote a continuous discharge of a fluid from the second driving chamber (C2) and/or from the third driving chamber (C3).