Screening Machine Screen Damage Detection via Conductive Layer

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing screening machines face challenges in detecting cracks or breaks in plastic fiber screens reliably and in a timely manner, leading to potential damage and impairment of screening results.

Innovation Solution

A screen with a plastic surface partially coated with an electrically conductive metallic layer, featuring a conductor track arrangement that simplifies resistance measurement, allowing for early detection of damage by measuring changes in electrical resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual checks are performed to detect screen damage, then screen integrity can be monitored, but the detection is not continuous and requires constant human intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen integrity monitoringVSAvoidconstant manual checks
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection with an electrical resistance measurement system. A conductive layer is applied to the screen fabric, and changes in electrical resistance automatically indicate damage such as cracks or breaks, eliminating the need for continuous manual checks while maintaining reliable monitoring of screen integrity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides continuous feedback through electrical resistance measurements. When the screen fabric is damaged, the resistance changes, triggering an automatic signal that informs operators of the damage without requiring manual inspection, thus achieving continuous monitoring with minimal human intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If electrically conductive threads are incorporated into plastic screen fabric, then screen breakage can be detected, but the conductive threads cause hardening and increased susceptibility to breakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror monitoringVSAvoidfabric breakage resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a separate conductive layer applied to the screen fabric as an intermediary element for detection, rather than incorporating conductive threads directly into the fabric structure. This conductive layer serves as a mediator that enables electrical resistance measurement for damage detection without becoming part of the fabric's structural matrix, thereby avoiding the hardening effect and increased breakage susceptibility caused by embedded conductive threads

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the electrically conductive layer is applied over the entire screen surface, then damage detection is comprehensive, but the complexity of the screening device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage detectionVSAvoidscreen structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the electrically conductive layer selectively to specific areas of the screen fabric rather than covering the entire surface. This localized application maintains the essential damage detection capability while reducing material costs, simplifying the manufacturing process, and decreasing overall device complexity compared to full-surface coating

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables reliable and timely detection of screen damage, preventing further wear and ensuring consistent screening performance by distinguishing between conductive and non-conductive states, thus preventing screen impairment.

Implementation Method 1

The electrical conductivity of metals, which are preferably used as an electrically conductive layer, is generally several orders of magnitude greater than that of plastics. The electrically conductive layer makes it possible to measure the electrical resistance along this layer continuously or periodically.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

A method for non-contact and non-destructive measurement of screen abrasion was already proposed in DE-OS-1648368. For this purpose, radiation should be directed onto the screen fabric and the reflective portion should be measured.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2340130B1Screening machine
Publication Date: 2013.04.10 BUHLER AG
  • EP2340130B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2340130B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2340130B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a screen for a screening machine for screening a product into two fractions. To avoid detrimental effects to the quality of the product due to damage at the screen mesh of a screen (9), the screen is provided with a metal layer, in particular in the manner of a conduction path, wherein the electrical resistance of said layer is measured and wherein changes in the resistance indicate damages.