Powder Crusher Electrical Circuit for Conductive Foreign Body Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing powder grinding devices face safety risks due to mechanical contact between grinding members, which can lead to equipment damage, pollution, and potential explosions, and existing foreign body detection systems are costly and prone to false alarms.

Innovation Solution

A powder grinder with an electrical control circuit that measures electrical parameters between grinding members to detect conductive foreign bodies, using insulated grinding members and a resistive element to ensure safe operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If foreign body detection modules are installed upstream of grinding equipment, then foreign body detection capability is improved, but installation cost and space requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforeign body detection capabilityVSAvoidinstallation cost and space requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the foreign body detection function with the existing electrical control circuit of the grinding equipment. The detection circuit is integrated into the control system, sharing components and space, which eliminates the need for separate dedicated detection modules and their associated installation costs and space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical control circuit serves dual purposes: it controls the normal operation of the grinding equipment and simultaneously detects the presence of conductive foreign bodies. This multi-functionality approach allows the same hardware infrastructure to perform multiple tasks, reducing overall system complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If vibration measurements are used to detect foreign bodies, then detection capability is improved, but false alarms increase due to normal grinding vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforeign body detection capabilityVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the normally problematic mechanical vibrations into useful electrical signals through piezoelectric sensors. The mechanical vibrations from foreign body impacts are transformed into electrical signals that can be easily detected and distinguished from normal operation patterns, turning a source of false alarms into a reliable detection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical vibration analysis systems with simpler electrical signal detection. By using piezoelectric sensors and electrical circuitry to detect foreign body impacts, the system achieves more precise and reliable detection compared to traditional mechanical vibration monitoring, which struggled to distinguish between normal and abnormal vibrations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If high rotation speed is used to ensure sufficient impact forces, then grinding effectiveness is improved, but risk of mechanical contact and explosions increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrinding effectivenessVSAvoidrisk of mechanical contact and explosions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an electrical monitoring system as an intermediary between the high-speed rotating components and the potential hazards. The detection circuit continuously monitors for foreign body presence and can trigger shutdown mechanisms, acting as a safety intermediary that allows high-speed operation while preventing catastrophic mechanical contact and explosion risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Prevents mechanical contact and potential explosions by detecting conductive foreign bodies, ensuring stable and safe grinding operations.

Implementation Method 1

an electrical control circuit making at least one primary electrical connection between the first and second grinding members, said electrical circuit comprising at least one device for measuring an electrical parameter of said circuit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4371670B1Powder crusher

Publication Date: 2025.08.20 FREWITT FAB DE MACHINES SA

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Figure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a mechanical powder mill (10) comprising a housing (20) supporting a first rotating grinding element (40) and a second grinding element (30) fixed relative to the housing (20), each of said first and second elements (30, 40) being made of an electrically conductive material. According to the invention, the mill (10) includes an electrical control circuit (72) providing at least one primary electrical connection between the first and second grinding elements (30, 40), and comprising at least one measuring device (90) for an electrical parameter of said circuit (72). The mill (10) further includes a processing device (92) configured to detect an additional connection between the two grinding elements (30, 40), in particular due to the presence of a foreign body between said elements, based on the measured value of said parameter.