Rotatable Soft Magnetic Tip for Thermal-Safe Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetic separation devices are either bulky due to their expansive design or pose thermal risks due to the use of electromagnets, which can be detrimental for thermally sensitive suspensions.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic separation device with a rotatable soft-magnetic tip that can change its magnetization state and is driven by a single movement mechanism, utilizing a screw drive for compact design and minimizing heat exposure, allowing for adjustable centrifugal forces to aid in particle removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an electromagnet is used to magnetize the soft magnetic tip, then the tip can be magnetized for separation, but thermal risks arise that are detrimental to thermally sensitive suspensions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electromagnet system with a mechanical magnetization system. A permanent magnet is moved along the guide tube to magnetize the soft magnetic tip mechanically, eliminating the need for electrical current and thus avoiding heat generation. The permanent magnet is coupled to the drive mechanism via a rod or cable, allowing it to be positioned close to the tip for magnetization and removed when not needed.
2Shape
If the permanent magnet is moved along the tube axis collinear with the tip axis, then the device achieves a slim radial design, but the magnetization section is limited to a small portion of the tip
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from radial magnetization (electromagnet surrounding the tip) to axial magnetization (permanent magnet moving along the tube axis). By positioning the permanent magnet at the end of the guide tube and moving it collinearly with the tip axis, the system achieves a slim radial design while providing adequate magnetization coverage through precise positioning and potential rotation of the tip.
3Device complexity
If a single drive mechanism is used to move the permanent magnet, then the device achieves a compact design, but the magnetization state change time may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The single drive mechanism performs multiple functions: it moves the permanent magnet along the guide tube to achieve magnetization, and can also rotate the soft magnetic tip about its axis. This multi-functionality maintains compact design while the rotation capability helps accelerate the magnetization process by bringing different portions of the tip into the magnetic field.
4Productivity
If the soft magnetic tip is rotated about its axis, then centrifugal forces aid in particle removal, but the drive mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the rotation function with the existing single drive mechanism. The same drive that moves the permanent magnet is also coupled to rotate the soft magnetic tip about its axis. This integration allows centrifugal forces to aid particle removal during the separation process without adding a separate rotation drive, thus maintaining relatively simple device complexity while improving productivity.
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 device achieves efficient and thermally safe magnetic separation with a slim design, capable of processing multiple suspensions simultaneously, while minimizing heat exposure and maintaining operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the magnetic field of the magnet arrangement in the magnetization section of the tip is time-varying to change the magnetization state of the tip
Implementation Method 2
The permanent magnet is polarized along its axis of movement, such that one of its magnetic poles can be brought into contact with the soft magnetic tip. During this contact, the soft magnetic tip is magnetized
Implementation Method 3
The rotation of the soft magnetic tip around its axis allows centrifugal forces to be generated at the tip, acting radially to the axis. These centrifugal forces can remove magnetic particles adhering to the tip
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
On a magnetic separating device (10) for separating magnetic particles from a suspension (14) with a soft magnetic tip (16) which extends along a tip axis (S) and the magnetization state of which can be selectively changed between a more strongly magnetized state and a more weakly magnetized state, the tip (16) has an immersion end (16a) for insertion into the suspension (14) and a magnetizing section (16b) for changing the magnetization state of the tip (16), wherein the separating device (10) has a movement drive and a magnet arrangement (32) which is connected thereto in such a way that movement is transmitted, which comprises at least one permanent magnet or is formed by at least one permanent magnet and which can be moved towards or away from the magnetizing section (16b) by the movement drive so that the magnetic field of the magnet arrangement (32) can be varied over time in the magnetizing section (16b) of the tip (16) for changing the magnetization state of the tip (16). According to the invention, the soft magnetic tip (16) can rotate about the tip axis (S).