Sensor Separation Apparatus Using Affinity Modification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor separation apparatuses in recycling are not very accurate, often accidentally ejecting non-identified particles due to close arrangement of particles, which decreases accuracy and affects process economy, especially in recycling mixed streams of small, physically similar particles.
Innovation Solution
A separation apparatus that includes an identifier to identify particles, an affinity modifier to change the affinity of identified particles relative to non-identified particles, and a separator to selectively separate particles based on their affinity differences, allowing for increased accuracy and efficiency by avoiding disturbance of non-identified particles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If particles are arranged sparsely in the group to avoid accidentally hitting and ejecting neighboring particles, then separation accuracy is improved, but capacity and process economy are lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by modifying the affinity of particles to the separator surface before the separation action occurs. The affinity modifier treats particles in advance, creating a selective adhesion property that ensures only identified particles will be captured by the separator, preventing accidental ejection of neighboring particles even when densely packed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameter of particle surface affinity through the affinity modifier. By altering the surface properties of identified particles to have higher affinity for the separator, the system achieves selective adhesion that maintains separation accuracy while allowing dense particle arrangement for high capacity
2Productivity
If air jets are used to eject identified particles from the stream, then separation is achieved, but neighboring non-identified particles are accidentally hit and ejected, decreasing accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of actively ejecting particles with air jets, the patent inverts the approach by using selective adhesion - the separator passively captures only particles with modified affinity while non-identified particles simply continue flowing by. This eliminates the harmful side effect of accidental ejection while maintaining separation speed
Solution Approach 2:
The affinity modifier acts as an intermediary that creates a selective bond between identified particles and the separator surface. This intermediary mechanism enables precise control over which particles are separated, replacing the non-selective air jet ejection method
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
The apparatus achieves higher accuracy in separating commercially relevant particles while maintaining a higher particle density, thus increasing process capacity and economy, and can handle small particles like shredded plastics or metals.
Implementation Method 1
an affinity modifier arranged to modify an affinity of the identified particles relative to that affinity of non-identified particles in the group
Implementation Method 2
a separator arranged to separate the particles in the group based on their difference in the affinity
Data Source
AI summary
A separation apparatus, comprising an identifier arranged to identify the particles in a group of particles that have a specific property, an affinity modifier arranged to modify an affinity of the identified particles relative to that affinity of non-identified particles in an group, and a separator arranged to separate the particles in the group based on their difference in the affinity.