Reversible Shredder Comb Teeth for Faster Wear-Part Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing low-speed shredders experience wear and tear on comb teeth due to harsh operating conditions, necessitating frequent replacement and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A shredder design with individually replaceable and reversible comb teeth, supported by a comb unit frame, allows for easy access and efficient replacement, and includes hydraulic cylinders for positioning the comb unit between shredding and relief positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If comb teeth are made individually replaceable, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of replacementVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The comb teeth are divided into individual replaceable units that can be separately removed and replaced. Each comb tooth is mounted independently on the comb unit frame, allowing selective replacement of worn teeth without replacing the entire comb assembly. This segmentation enables easy repair while maintaining manageable structural complexity through standardized mounting interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of repair

If comb teeth are made reversible, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereusabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The comb teeth are designed with reversible mounting that allows them to be rotated 180 degrees and reused. The mounting structure includes features that accommodate both orientations, enabling the teeth to be flipped and continued used after initial wear. This dynamic reusability extends component lifespan without requiring complex replacement mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If access door is added for easy access to comb, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

An access door is extracted and added to the shredder housing to provide direct access to the comb unit and comb teeth. This door can be opened to allow maintenance personnel to reach the comb teeth for replacement or adjustment without disassembling the entire shredder. The access door is a simple structural addition that significantly improves operational ease and maintenance accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If frequent replacement of comb teeth is required, then reliability is maintained, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoiddowntime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The comb teeth are designed with pre-configured mounting structures that allow for rapid replacement. The mounting features are prepared in advance with standardized interfaces and alignment features, enabling quick installation of replacement teeth without complex assembly procedures. This preliminary preparation of the mounting system minimizes downtime during replacement operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4108338B1Shredder for comminuting bulk material
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 VERMEER MFG CO
  • EP4108338B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4108338B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4108338B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A shredder includes a shredder box and a shredder rotor positioned within an interior of the shredder box. The shredder rotor is rotatable about a rotor axis and has a plurality of rotor teeth. An access door is pivotally moveable between an open position and a closed position, the access door defining a side wall of the shredder box when in the closed position. A shredder comb is positioned at an interior side of the access door and includes a plurality of shredder comb teeth. When the access door is in the closed position, the shredder comb is positioned at a shredding location to intermesh with the plurality of rotor teeth for shredding material input to the shredder box. The plurality of shredder comb teeth are removable and reversible for use in two orientations.