Shredder Guiding Unit for High Data Density Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shredders fail to meet contemporary demands for shredding confidential and sensitive data carriers into sufficiently small pieces due to increasing data density, as they are unable to reduce the maximum size of shredded pieces effectively.
Innovation Solution
A shredder with a guiding system featuring a hollow rotatable guiding unit and a knife assembly with adjacently arranged rotatable knives, an elongated sieve with decreasing opening sizes, and a drive system to cut, punch, tear, or deform pieces into smaller sizes, utilizing a sequence of cutting and deforming steps along the direction, and a guiding unit to collect and displace pieces for further processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a guillotine knife is used to cut data carriers into thin stripes, then the data carriers are cut into strips, but the maximum size of shredded pieces cannot be reduced sufficiently to meet contemporary high data density demands
Solution Approach 1:
The shredding process is segmented into multiple sequential stages, each with its own knife assembly and sieve. The first knife assembly cuts data carriers into initial strips, which are then processed by a second knife assembly that further cuts them into smaller pieces. This multi-stage segmentation allows progressive reduction of piece size to meet high data density requirements while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a longitudinal dimension to the shredding process by arranging knife assemblies and sieves in sequence along the length of the housing. Data carriers move through the housing in the longitudinal direction, passing through multiple cutting stages. This dimensional arrangement transforms a single-plane cutting operation into a multi-stage progressive shredding process, enabling sufficient size reduction without excessive complexity
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple knife assemblies and sieves are arranged in sequence along the longitudinal direction, then pieces are progressively cut into smaller sizes, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each knife assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: cutting pieces to specific size thresholds and simultaneously sorting them through the associated sieve. The sieves serve dual purposes of size classification and piece ejection to the collection chamber. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, managing device complexity while achieving progressive piece size reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The knife assemblies and sieves are nested within the housing structure in a compact longitudinal arrangement. The sieves are positioned to receive pieces from the knife assemblies and eject them into a shared collection chamber. This nested configuration allows multiple processing stages to be integrated within a unified structure, reducing overall device complexity compared to separate independent units
3Manufacturing precision
If the size of sieve openings and knife thickness decrease in the longitudinal direction, then pieces are shredded into sufficiently small sizes, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sieves are segmented into multiple sections along the longitudinal direction, with each section having openings of a specific size appropriate for its stage in the shredding process. Similarly, knife assemblies are configured with thicknesses matched to their specific cutting tasks. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured to optimized specifications for its particular function, making fabrication more manageable while achieving the required overall shredding precision
Solution Approach 2:
The invention systematically varies key parameters along the longitudinal direction: sieve opening sizes decrease from the first to later stages, and knife thicknesses are adjusted to match the size of pieces at each stage. This controlled parameter progression allows each component to be manufactured within reasonable precision limits while collectively achieving the required final piece size for high data density protection
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a shredder. More in particular, the present invention relates to a shredder configured for shredding confidential or sensitive data carriers, such as hard drives, and removable storage media such as USB or flash drives, floppy discs, data tapes and the like. The shredder according to the invention comprises a hollow rotatable guiding unit in which a first knife assembly is arranged. A sieve is disposed below the first knife assembly of which a size of the sieve openings decreases in the longitudinal direction of the guiding unit. According to the invention, the guiding unit is configured to collect pieces that are pushed through the openings of the sieve and to provide the collected pieces to the second side of the first knife assembly for subsequent cutting, punching, tearing or otherwise deforming. Furthermore, the guiding unit is configured to displace the collected pieces in the first direction between collecting the pieces and providing the pieces to the second side of the first knife assembly.