Polycrystalline Silicon Comminution Chisels
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for comminuting silicon ingots, such as high-pressure water jets and shockwave generation, fail to produce fragments with targeted size and weight distributions, and result in shell-like fragments with high surface area and impurity levels, making manual tools like hammers the preferred choice despite their physical demands.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical crushing apparatus using opposed comminution chisels that can break down a polycrystalline silicon ingot in one stroke, preventing shell-shaped fragments and minimizing contamination, with adjustable chisel distance and drive mechanisms for precise fragment size control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional comminution methods (high-pressure water jet, shockwaves, thermal decomposition) are used, then the ingot can be comminuted into fragments, but the size and weight distributions of the fragments cannot be set in a targeted manner
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus employs movable comminution tools with adjustable positions and stroke lengths, allowing dynamic control over fragment size distribution. The comminution tools can be positioned at different locations and adjusted to achieve targeted fragment sizes, resolving the contradiction between precise size control and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls fragment size distribution by adjusting parameters such as comminution tool position, stroke length, and number of strokes. These parameter changes enable targeted control over fragment size and weight distribution, addressing the inability of conventional methods to set specific size distributions.
2Productivity
If jaw crushers are used for comminution, then mechanical crushing can be achieved, but shell-like fragments with large surface area and high impurity levels are formed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful shell-like outer layers through controlled comminution strokes, removing contaminated portions and producing cleaner internal fragments. This extraction principle reduces impurity levels while maintaining comminution efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The comminution process uses periodic reciprocating strokes of the comminution tools, allowing controlled breaking that prevents shell-like fragment formation. The periodic action enables progressive comminution that produces more uniform, less contaminated fragments compared to continuous jaw crushing.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If manual tools (hammers) are used for comminution, then fragments with good shape and very low contamination can be produced, but the work is physically very hard and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus enables self-service comminution where the machine performs the physically demanding task of breaking the ingot. The automated reciprocating comminution tools produce low-contamination fragments without requiring manual physical effort, resolving the contradiction between fragment quality and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces manual mechanical hammering with an automated mechanical comminution system. The machine-driven comminution tools replicate and improve upon manual hammering results while eliminating the physical labor, producing clean fragments with ease of operation.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple comminution strokes are used to break down the ingot, then fragment size can be controlled, but production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus performs preliminary positioning of the comminution tools and preliminary strokes to create initial fragmentation patterns. This preliminary action enables faster subsequent comminution strokes to achieve precise fragment size control, reducing overall production time while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The comminution process uses continuous reciprocating strokes without idle periods, maintaining useful action throughout the comminution cycle. This continuity allows multiple strokes to be performed efficiently, achieving precise fragment size control without excessive time loss between operations.
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 apparatus produces cubic silicon fragments with controlled size and weight distributions, reducing contamination and enabling efficient production of polycrystalline silicon for solar cells and single crystal growth with minimal physical effort and impurity levels.
Implementation Method 1
comminution chisels (3) and mating chisels (5), in front of or behind the silicon ingot (1), are moved toward one another to within a safety distance, and then a recurring striking movement is started for all the comminution chisels (3) bearing against the silicon ingot (1), effecting comminution of the silicon ingot (1)
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanical crushing apparatus for comminuting a polycrystalline silicon ingot, has a base and opposed comminuting and mating chisels, the chisels having longitudinal axises oriented at right angles to a longitudinal axis of the base and parallel to the surface of the base, and being movable in such a manner that a silicon ingot to be comminuted and which rests on the surface of the base can be positioned between the chisels such that all the chisels in the region of the silicon ingot are in contact with the silicon ingot, and comminution chisels in front of and behind the silicon ingot can be moved in the direction of their longitudinal axis to within a safety distance of the respective mating chisel, and the comminution chisels act on and break up the silicon ingot by means of sudden movement(s) in the direction of their longitudinal axes.