Screw Distributor with Integrated Comminution for Liquid Manure

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid manure distributors face challenges in efficiently spreading manure with solids, which can clog outlet openings, requiring separate comminution devices and multiple drives, complicating the process.

Innovation Solution

An auger distributor with a conveyor screw and a comminution device featuring rotating cutting elements coupled to the drive shaft, integrated between an antechamber and distribution chamber, effectively shreds solids using a helically arranged cutting plate to prevent clogging, allowing for single-drive operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conveyor screw is used to distribute liquid manure, then the distribution process is simplified, but solids in the manure can clog the outlet openings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistribution processVSAvoidoutlet opening clogging
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The comminution device is positioned upstream of the outlet openings to preliminarily chop solids before they reach the distribution system. The rotating cutting elements shred solids in advance, preventing clogging at the outlets while maintaining the simplicity of the conveyor screw distribution process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If separate comminution devices are added to process solids, then clogging is prevented, but device complexity and the number of drives increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclogging preventionVSAvoidnumber of drives
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The comminution device is integrated with the conveyor screw system, sharing the same drive shaft. The rotating cutting elements are coupled to the drive shaft that also powers the conveyor screw, merging two functions (comminution and conveyance) into a single driven assembly, thereby preventing clogging without adding multiple drives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The drive shaft serves dual purposes: it drives both the conveyor screw for distribution and the rotating cutting elements for comminution. This multi-functional drive system eliminates the need for separate drives while maintaining both distribution and solids processing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If multiple drives are used for comminution and conveyance, then both functions are performed, but operational simplicity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomminution and conveyanceVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the drive systems for comminution and conveyance into a single integrated drive shaft. The rotating cutting elements and conveyor screw are both driven by this common shaft, maintaining full productivity while restoring operational simplicity through single-drive control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 simultaneous comminution and spreading of liquid manure, reducing clogging issues and simplifying the process with a single drive, enhancing efficiency and operational simplicity.

Implementation Method 1

a conveyor screw (6) arranged in the distributor pipe (1) and drivable via a drive shaft (13)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew conveyor mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

a comminuting device (7) with at least one rotating cutting element (10, 11)... The rotating cutting blades shred the majority of the solids to such an extent that clogging of the outlet openings can be largely avoided

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical cutting and shredding: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

The openings (8) of the cutting plate (9) are arranged in a helical shape around the axis of rotation (12) of the at least one rotating cutting element (10, 11)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHelical geometry filtering: Geometry

Implementation Method 4

The collection box (15) is arranged in particular below the comminution device (7), so that any foreign bodies that cannot be comminuted reach the collection box by gravity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3127416B1Screw distributor
Publication Date: 2018.03.28 FLIEGL SEN JOSEF
  • EP3127416B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3127416B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3127416B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The screw distributor according to the invention is particularly suitable for distributing liquid manure and has a distributor pipe (1) which has a feed opening (2) at one end and a plurality of outlet openings (3) distributed along its length, wherein a conveying screw (6) is arranged in the distributor pipe and can be driven via a drive shaft (13) and furthermore a shredding device (7) with at least one rotating cutting element (10, 11) is arranged between the feed opening and the conveying screw, wherein the cutting element is coupled to the drive shaft driving the conveying screw in a rotationally fixed manner.