Self-cleaning Roller Screen with Variable Velocity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Roller screens used for separating particles by size suffer from efficiency loss due to manual cleaning requirements, as particles get deformed and stuck between rollers, leading to blocked gaps and reduced selectivity.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a process where at least three rotating rollers, installed in succession with defined clearances, change their circumferential velocity and/or rotational direction at intervals to create an additional impulse, automatically dislodging particles and cleaning the gaps without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cleaning is performed to remove stuck particles from roller gaps, then screening efficiency is restored, but productivity decreases due to required manpower and operational interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The roller screen performs self-cleaning through automated mechanisms. A cleaning device with brushes or scrapers is positioned to contact the roller surfaces during operation, automatically removing stuck particles without requiring external manual intervention. This allows the system to maintain screening efficiency while continuing to operate without interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning mechanism operates periodically or continuously during the screening process. The cleaning device is activated at regular intervals or runs continuously to prevent particle accumulation in the roller gaps, ensuring consistent screening performance without stopping production.
2Reliability
If rollers are cleaned manually to remove deformed particles, then gap blockage is prevented, but device complexity increases due to manual intervention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The roller screen performs self-cleaning through automated mechanisms. A cleaning device with brushes or scrapers is positioned to contact the roller surfaces during operation, automatically removing stuck particles without requiring external manual intervention. This allows the system to maintain screening efficiency while continuing to operate without interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
A cleaning device acts as an intermediary element between the rollers and the external environment. This device, equipped with cleaning elements such as brushes or scrapers, mediates the removal of stuck particles from the roller surfaces, simplifying the overall system by providing a dedicated, automated cleaning function.
3Device complexity
If particles are allowed to accumulate between rollers, then device complexity is reduced, but screening selectivity is lost due to bridged gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The roller screen performs self-cleaning through automated mechanisms. A cleaning device with brushes or scrapers is positioned to contact the roller surfaces during operation, automatically removing stuck particles without requiring external manual intervention. This allows the system to maintain screening efficiency while continuing to operate without interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning mechanism operates periodically or continuously during the screening process. The cleaning device is activated at regular intervals or runs continuously to prevent particle accumulation in the roller gaps, ensuring consistent screening performance without stopping production.
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 automated process maintains high screening efficiency by continuously cleaning the gaps between rollers, reducing the need for manual labor and preventing particle bridging, thereby ensuring consistent material separation.
Implementation Method 1
at least three rotating rollers which are installed in succession at given clearances and arranged transversally in relation to the transport direction of the particles
Implementation Method 2
at least one roller, preferably every second roller changes its circumferential velocity and/or its rotational direction over time at defined time intervals for a defined time period such that in at least one pair of neighbored rollers one roller rotates faster than the other and/or both rollers rotate in opposite directions. Thereby, the faster roller of the roller pair will give an additional impulse to the particles in the gap between the roller pair
Data Source
AI summary
A method for cleaning of a roller screen transporting and screening particles by means of at least three rotating rollers. The rollers are installed in succession at given clearances and arranged transversally in relation to the transport direction of the particles to screen a desired range of particle sizes. At least one roller changes its circumferential velocity and/or its rotational direction over time at defined time intervals for defined time periods such that for this defined time period for at least one pair of neighbored rollers one roller has a higher circumferential velocity than the other and/or both rollers roll in opposite rotational directions.