Screw Feeder Base Plate Orientation for Vibration Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Screw feeders face issues with vibration resonance due to lightweight and non-stiff pedestals, leading to the need for rubber cushions to dampen vibrations, which require adjustable mounts and frequent replacement, causing alignment challenges and potential noise and component failure.

Innovation Solution

Rigidly connecting the vibration unit to a heavy and parallel-oriented base plate, eliminating the need for rubber cushions by ensuring the base plate acts as a sufficient mass to absorb vibrations, thus reducing resonance and improving assembly ease.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a lightweight pedestal is used to mount the vibration unit, then the device complexity is reduced, but the vibration dampening capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepedestal structureVSAvoidvibration dampening
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reorients the base plate from a horizontal mounting surface to a vertical orientation parallel to the vibration movement plane. This dimensional change allows the base plate to directly counteract vibrations through its mass without requiring complex pedestals or rubber cushions, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and effective vibration dampening.

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

2Ease of operation

If the vibration unit is positioned far from the base plate, then the ease of operation is improved, but the resonance risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidresonance stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the base plate orientation to vertical and positioning it close to the vibration unit, the patent eliminates resonance risks while maintaining operational accessibility. The vertical orientation provides necessary clearance for screw conveyance, and the close positioning ensures effective vibration counteraction without compromising accessibility.

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

3Reliability

If rubber cushions are added to dampen vibrations, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration dampeningVSAvoiddampening components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the rubber cushions and other dampening components from the system. Instead of adding complexity through dampening elements, the invention uses the vertically oriented base plate's mass to directly counteract vibrations, achieving reliable vibration dampening without additional components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Manufacturing precision

If adjustable pedestals are used for the separator unit, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment toleranceVSAvoidadjustable mounting
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the need for adjustable pedestals by using a vertically oriented rigid base plate that provides stable, precise mounting positions. The vertical base plate structure inherently maintains alignment tolerances without requiring adjustment mechanisms, eliminating complexity while preserving manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

5Reliability

If additional mass is added to counteract vibration, then the reliability is improved, but the weight of stationary object increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration counteractionVSAvoidbase plate mass
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the vertical orientation of the base plate to efficiently utilize its mass for vibration counteraction. This orientation allows the base plate to directly oppose vibrations in the movement plane without requiring excessive mass, as the vertical configuration provides optimal mechanical leverage for vibration damping.

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

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 design enhances the reliability and durability of screw feeders by eliminating the need for dampening elements, reducing resonance, and maintaining precise tolerances without the need for frequent maintenance or additional components.

Implementation Method 1

a vibration mechanism (18) comprising a vibration motor (28) and at least one spring (26)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

the base plate (2) acts as a sufficient mass to absorb vibrations, thus reducing resonance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP4090614B1Screw feeder
Publication Date: 2024.11.13 ATLAS COPCO IND TECHNIQUE AB INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
  • EP4090614B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4090614B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention concerns a screw forwarding device (1) for a screw feeder comprising a base plate (2), a vibration mechanism comprising at least one spring and a vibration motor connected to the at least one spring, a rail (4) for receiving screws, the rail (4) being connected to a first end of the at least one spring, the at least one spring being arranged at an oblique angle to the rail. The screw forwarding device (1) comprises further a fastening mechanism for rigidly connecting a second end of the at least one spring to the base plate (2), whereby a movement path of the vibration mechanism, during a use of the screw forwarding device (1), defines a plane of movement, whereby the base plate (2) is oriented substantially parallel to the plane of movement defined by the vibration mechanism.