Shielded Pocket Conveyor for Shredded E-Waste Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shredding machines produce a large volume of shredded electronic waste that quickly fills the catch bin, necessitating frequent manual transfers and posing safety risks, as existing solutions do not efficiently manage the transfer of shredded materials to larger bins.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor apparatus with a flexible conveyor belt and integrated side walls that form continuous pockets to transport shredded material from the shredder to a transfer bin, featuring a base with divider walls and side walls made of high-strength materials to prevent spillage and enable seamless alignment with existing shredding machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a catch bin is placed at the shredder outlet to collect shredded material, then the shredded waste can be contained, but the bin fills up quickly requiring frequent manual transfers
Solution Approach 1:
A conveyor belt system acts as an intermediary mechanism between the shredder and the catch bin. The conveyor automatically transports shredded material from the shredder outlet to the bin, eliminating the need for manual intervention and extending the time between transfers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service operation where the conveyor belt automatically performs the material transfer function. The shredded waste is continuously moved along the conveyor and deposited into the bin without requiring human operators to manually empty or transfer the material.
2Ease of operation
If manual handling of the catch bin is used to transfer shredded material, then the bin can be emptied, but operator safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt serves as a protective intermediary that handles the shredded material, keeping operators at a safe distance from potential hazards such as sharp edges, dust, or unexpected movements of heavy bins. The automated system eliminates direct human contact with hazardous materials.
3Productivity
If the catch bin is positioned to accept shredded material directly from the shredder, then material transfer is efficient, but the bin capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt introduces a spatial dimension to the material transfer process. Instead of relying solely on vertical bin capacity, the horizontal conveyor extension allows the bin to be positioned in a different location, effectively increasing the system's overall capacity and reducing the frequency of transfers.
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 conveyor apparatus facilitates safe and efficient transfer of shredded materials to larger bins, reducing the need for manual handling and extending the time between transfers, while maintaining operator safety and tracking operational data.
Implementation Method 1
The base is constructed of a flexible material with high tensile strength, load-bearing capacity, and excellent flex and fatigue life... each side wall incorporating corrugations that allow the side walls to compress during inward turns and expand during outward turns
Data Source
AI summary
A shielded conveyor apparatus for use with a shredder machine to transfer shredded material. The conveyor apparatus includes a base supporting an inclined ramp with a bottom inlet and a top discharge. A conveyor belt, driven by a motor positioned adjacent the top discharge, is shielded along its length by a cover and viewable through sight glasses. The belt is formed with opposed side walls and spaced barrier walls extending from its surface to define material-carrying pockets that control the quantity of material transported while preventing spillage during rotation. The conveyor couples to a shredder machine housing one or more sets of shredder teeth driven by motors to process objects of varying sizes, including hard drives, solid state drives, CDs, and USB cards. Shredded material exits the shredder through a chute and enters the conveyor inlet for controlled transfer to a discharge or collection bin.