Separating Screen Disc Anchoring for Fast Shaft Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing separating conveyor screens face challenges in quickly and reliably fixing the positions of discs, which affects the efficiency and accuracy of material separation based on size and deformability.

Innovation Solution

The discs are equipped with anchoring members that anchor into recesses in the shaft and tensioners to tension the disc body radially, allowing for reliable axial fixation without clamping through the disc body, enabling a lightweight and soft material design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If discs are clamped through the disc body to fix position on shaft, then reliable axial fixation is achieved, but disc body must be rigid and heavy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxial fixation reliabilityVSAvoiddisc body weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The disc assembly is segmented into three independent components: the disc body, the anchoring member that engages with the shaft, and the tensioning member that provides clamping force. This segmentation allows the disc body to be lightweight and soft while the anchoring and tensioning functions are performed by separate metal components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The anchoring member acts as an intermediary between the shaft and the disc body, transferring axial loads without requiring the disc body itself to be rigid. The tensioning member serves as a mediator that applies clamping force to secure the disc assembly to the shaft.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If disc body is made rigid to transfer clamping force, then secure mounting is achieved, but adjustability and ease of removal is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping force transmissionVSAvoiddisc position adjustment ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The disc assembly transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic assembly where the tensioning member can be adjusted to different positions along the shaft, allowing the disc to be mounted, adjusted, and removed easily while maintaining secure clamping when in position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

By separating the clamping function (tensioning member) from the disc body, the system allows easy adjustment and removal of the entire assembly without deforming or stressing a rigid disc body structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Weight of moving object

If disc body is made soft and lightweight, then ease of adjustment and material flexibility is improved, but force transmission capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisc body weightVSAvoidclamping force transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The anchoring member serves as a force-transmitting intermediary between the shaft and the lightweight disc body. It receives the clamping force from the tensioning member and transfers it to the shaft through the recess engagement, eliminating the need for the disc body to transmit these forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Stability of the object's composition

If discs are fixed rigidly to shaft, then positioning stability is achieved, but readjustment time and complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisc position stabilityVSAvoiddisc readjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The assembly is designed to be dynamically adjustable rather than statically fixed. The tensioning member can be quickly released and repositioned along the shaft to adjust disc spacing, then rapidly secured to provide stable positioning when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The anchoring member is pre-designed with a recess that matches the shaft geometry, and the tensioning member is pre-configured to apply clamping force. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid assembly and adjustment without complex alignment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3263229B1Disc for a separating screen conveyor and separating screen conveyor including such a disc
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 BOLLEGRAAF BEHEER APPINGEDAM BV
  • EP3263229B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3263229B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3263229B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A disc for a separating conveyor screen has a disc body with an opening (24) in an axial direction for receiving a shaft (17). At least one anchoring member (31) of the disc has an anchoring portion (32) projecting into the opening (24) in a radially inward direction and has a positioning portion (33) fitted in a disc body of the disc. The anchoring portion (32) has at least one projection (34) in circumferential sense of the opening (24) for anchoring in at least one recess (35) in an outside surface of the shaft (17). At least one tensioner (37) is provided for tensioning the anchoring member (31) and the disc body radially towards each other. A separating conveyor screen equipped with such discs is also described.