Ore Screening Panel Wear Indication via Aperture Shape Change

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing modular screening panels in vibratory screening machines lack a convenient and cost-effective method to indicate wear without reducing the open area or increasing manufacturing costs, as current solutions either require expensive processes or reduce the screen's efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The modular screening panel features apertures that change shape with wear, from curved to square, providing a visible indication of wear without altering the open area or manufacturing process, and enhancing flexibility and screening efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a two-layer bonded panel system is used to indicate wear through color difference, then wear indication is provided, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear indicationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses color changes in the aperture appearance to indicate wear. As the panel surface wears away, the underlying aperture structure becomes visible, changing from an obscured state to a visible state that signals wear progression. This eliminates the need for expensive two-layer bonded construction while providing effective wear indication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Loss of information

If closed apertures are provided in panels to indicate wear, then localized wear indication is achieved, but open area of the screen is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear indicationVSAvoidopen area
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making only specific portions of the aperture structure visible at strategic locations where wear indication is most needed, rather than closing entire apertures. The visible portions serve as wear indicators while the majority of the aperture area remains open for screening function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of information

If the aperture shape changes with depth to indicate wear, then visual wear indication is provided without reducing open area, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear indicationVSAvoidaperture shape consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional aperture shapes to three-dimensional variable aperture structures where the shape changes with depth. This dimensional addition provides wear indication capability while maintaining open area, as the shape transformation occurs along the depth dimension rather than requiring additional surface features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2747907B1Ore screening panel
Publication Date: 2018.10.24 SCHENCK PROCESS AUSTRALIA (PTY) LTD
  • EP2747907B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2747907B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6

AI summary

A modular screening panel in which the apertures in the screening surface extend through the surface and the shape of the aperture parallel the plane of the panel surface varies with the depth of the aperture so that as the surface wears the visible shape of the aperture changes. The apertures can be any convenient shape at the surface but at the depth which means the worn panel needs replacing the shape is distinctly different to the shape of the apertures in a new or partly worn panel.