Shot Peening Machine Air Sorting Mechanism for Compact Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shot processing machines face challenges in accurately separating recovered blast material from foreign matter without enlarging the machine size, as they often rely on vibration sifters which increase machine size and efficiency limitations.

Innovation Solution

A shot processing machine incorporating an air sorting mechanism with a freefall zone, dispersion rods, and a settling chamber to separate foreign matter from blast material using upward air currents, along with a distribution system to optimize blast material supply and reduce machine enlargement, and a conveyor system for uniform workpiece processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a vibration sifter is used to separate foreign matter from blast material, then separation function is achieved, but machine size becomes enlarged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation functionVSAvoidmachine size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical vibration sifter system with a pneumatic classification system. Air currents are used to classify and separate foreign matter from blast material based on density and aerodynamic properties, eliminating the need for mechanical vibrating components and significantly reducing machine size while maintaining effective separation functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs pneumatic principles by introducing air currents into the blast material stream. The air flow carries lighter foreign matter particles differently from heavier blast material, achieving separation through pneumatic classification rather than mechanical vibration, thus avoiding the size penalty of traditional vibration sifters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Measurement precision

If blast material is allowed to fall freely with upward air current for separation, then sorting accuracy is improved, but separation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesorting accuracyVSAvoidseparation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a controlled freefall process where blast material is allowed to fall only for the necessary duration to achieve adequate separation, rather than excessive fall time. The system optimizes the balance between fall distance and separation effectiveness, providing sufficient exposure to air currents for accurate sorting while minimizing unnecessary time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 enables accurate separation of blast material from foreign matter while constraining machine size, improving sorting accuracy and reducing wear on components, and allows for efficient reuse of blast material and processing of various workpiece sizes without the need for extensive machine enlargement.

Implementation Method 1

an air sorting mechanism for applying an upward air current to recovered blast material and allowing the recovered blast material to fall freely

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir current: Convection

Implementation Method 2

allowing the recovered blast material to fall freely

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFree fall: Free Fall

Implementation Method 3

allowing the recovered blast material to fall freely

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 4

the opening portion is formed between a regulator plate disposed to extend in the vertical direction on the free fall zone side of the supply portion, and an inclined portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow restriction and spreading:

Implementation Method 5

multiple dispersion rods placed across the free fall zone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDispersion: Dispersion (of waves)

Data Source

PatentEP2862674B1Shot processing machine
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 SINTOKOGIO LTD
  • EP2862674B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2862674B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2862674B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a shot peening device with which recovered projection material and foreign bodies can be more precisely separated while inhibiting an increase in the size of the device. The shot peening device is provided with: a projector (42) which projects projection material onto a workpiece (W); recovery mechanisms (52, 54) which recover the projection material projected by the projector; and a wind power sorting mechanism (62) in which recovered projection material is allowed to fall freely while an upward air current is applied to the recovered projection material, and foreign bodies included in the recovered projection material are separated from the recovered projection material.