Rotating Turntable Waste Distribution Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing waste management systems face challenges in distributing inhomogeneous waste mixtures over a wide area efficiently, as conventional methods like distribution chutes require significant space and are prone to caking, while conveyor troughs are cumbersome and limit the width of distribution, leading to suboptimal performance and high energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A distribution device utilizing two concave, oppositely rotating turntables that distribute waste over a larger width by hurling it both forwards and sideways, with adjustable inclination and overlapping design to ensure comprehensive catchment, accompanied by a chute that bundles and directs the waste stream precisely onto the turntables, enhancing throughput and compactness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If distribution chutes with cascades are used to distribute waste, then distribution is achieved, but the space requirement increases significantly and caking occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste distribution capabilityVSAvoidspace requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cascade system with a pneumatic system using a blower to distribute waste material. Instead of relying on gravitational cascading through chutes, the system uses air flow to convey and distribute the waste mixture, eliminating the need for large vertical space and preventing caking that occurs with mechanical cascades

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs pneumatic principles by using a blower to generate air flow that carries the waste mixture through a conveying element and distributes it across the turntable. This pneumatic distribution method achieves wide-area distribution without the space requirements and caking problems associated with traditional mechanical chute systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Ease of operation

If conveyor troughs are used to distribute waste, then waste is conveyed, but the width of distribution is limited and the system becomes cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste conveying capabilityVSAvoiddistribution width
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a turntable with a curved, rotating surface instead of straight conveyor troughs. The curved geometry of the turntable, combined with its rotation, naturally distributes waste material in a radial pattern across a wide area, eliminating the distribution width limitations of linear conveyor systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces dynamic motion through the rotating turntable to achieve wide-area distribution. Instead of static or linearly moving conveyor troughs, the rotating turntable dynamically distributes waste material across its entire surface area, significantly increasing the effective distribution width while simplifying the system structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If conventional distribution methods are used, then waste is distributed, but energy consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste distribution functionVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the turntable system to utilize the kinetic energy of the incoming waste stream and the rotational motion of the turntable itself for distribution. The system minimizes additional energy input by leveraging the natural momentum of conveyed material and the mechanical energy already present in the rotating turntable, reducing overall energy consumption compared to powered distribution mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

This solution enables waste distribution over a significantly wider area, up to four to six times the width of the initial conveyor, while reducing space requirements and energy consumption, and allows for precise control over distribution patterns, improving the overall efficiency and performance of waste sorting systems.

Implementation Method 1

two concave, oppositely rotating turntables that distribute waste over a larger width by hurling it both forwards and sideways

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

An air classifier is known from JP 2002 192 078 A, in which the material brought in by a conveyor belt falls onto a turntable before it falls off the turntable, is seized by a blower and transported through the air to different distances

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir classification: Cyclone Separation

Data Source

PatentEP2486986B1Distribution device with distribution plates
Publication Date: 2013.08.28 WESTERIA FORDERTECHN GMBH
  • EP2486986B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2486986B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2486986B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The air separator has a conveying element (2), which guides the waste mixture to a separating drum (6). A distributing device (3) is provided between the conveying element and the separating drum, which has a horizontally arranged rotatably driven rotary plate (4). The distributing device is designed such that it distributes the portions of the waste mixture impinged by the conveying element over a larger width than those portions engaging on the conveying element.