Perforated Cylinder Separator With External Scrapers Against Pulp Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing separators for food with stones and pulp, such as those described in EP 1232695 (A2), suffer from clogging due to pulp accumulation on the outer surface of the grid, leading to malfunction, as the pulp is not effectively removed from the grid holes and tends to accumulate, causing blockages.
Innovation Solution
A separator design featuring a cylindrical element with holes on its lateral surface and external sliding elements that rotate to remove pulp from the outer surface, ensuring continuous cleanliness and functionality, along with a microcomputer and smart cards for optimizing operation parameters based on the material being processed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cylindrical element has holes on the lateral surface for separating pulp from stones, then the separation function is improved, but pulp accumulates on the outer surface and clogs the holes, causing malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful pulp accumulation from the cylindrical element's outer surface by introducing external scraping elements that continuously remove pulp as it exits the holes, preventing clogging and maintaining reliable separation function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces external scraping elements as intermediary components between the cylindrical element and the pulp flow, which act as mediators to continuously clear pulp from the outer surface and prevent it from blocking the separation holes
2Reliability
If the pulp passes through the grid and falls on one side, then separation is achieved, but the single-sided accumulation increases clogging possibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the single-sided pulp accumulation problem by introducing scraping elements that operate in a new dimensional space (external to the cylindrical element), continuously removing pulp from the outer surface and distributing it away from the separation holes, thereby reducing clogging risk while maintaining separation efficiency
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 solution effectively prevents clogging by continuously removing pulp from the outer surface, maintaining the separator's efficiency and reliability, and allows for adaptable operation with different food materials by adjusting rotation speeds and settings.
Implementation Method 1
rotating brushes that separate the stones from the pulp and that for centrifugal force compel the pulp to pass through a grid
Implementation Method 2
external elements, that slide, possibly rotating, on the outer lateral surface of the cylindrical element and carry away the pulp
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The separator of this invention comprises an inlet mouth for material (1). This inlet mouth (1) communicates with a cylindrical element (3), which has a slot on the other side of the inlet mouth (1). The cylindrical element is perforated on the lateral surface. The inlet mouth (1) is equipped with a device (2) consisting of a series of fins arranged on the central axis of said inlet mouth (1) and cylindrical element (3). Inside the cylindrical element (3) are arranged brushes (4) mounted on the central shaft that are put in rotation and force, by effect of centrifugal force, the material onto the lateral surface of cylindrical element (3). The material composed by pulp or particles with dimensions smaller than the size of the cylindrical element's holes (3), for the effect of centrifugal force, passes through the holes in the perforated metal cylindrical element. On the outer face of the cylinder (3) are disposed outside elements (5) that glide, possibly rotating, on cylindrical element (3). The external elements (5) take away the material composed of pulp or particles smaller than the size of the holes of cylindrical element (3) passing through said cylindrical element holes (3). Preferably, the external elements (5) scrape the outer face of the cylinder (3) over the entire length of the cylinder (3). The material in the pulp is carried out by a first screw conveyor (7). The stones fall through a slit in a second screw conveyor (6).