Sorting Device for Cardboard Separation via Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sorting devices for separating cardboard and paper face challenges in precision and durability due to complex manufacturing and high wear of disc elements, leading to uncontrolled flight behavior and inefficient sorting.
Innovation Solution
A sorting device with a linear transport and discharge system using independently pivotable arms and conveyor belts to manipulate the transport direction and speed of components, allowing precise control over throw distance and trajectory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If disc elements with spikes are used to impale and separate components, then sorting capability is achieved, but wear and tear increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful spikes are extracted and removed from the disc elements. The invention replaces the spike-based impaling mechanism with a smooth-surfaced disc that uses airflow generation to separate components, eliminating the wear-causing spikes while maintaining sorting functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical spike-impaling system is replaced with an aerodynamic system. Instead of using physical spikes to penetrate and carry components, the invention uses rotating smooth discs to generate airflow that lifts and transports components, replacing mechanical contact with fluid dynamic interaction.
2Reliability
If spikes directly contact material flow to impale components, then separation is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex spike structures are extracted and removed from the disc design. The invention uses simple smooth-surfaced discs that are much easier to manufacture, while achieving separation through airflow generation rather than mechanical impaling.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using protruding spikes to interact with material, the invention uses the smooth surface of the disc to generate airflow that interacts with the material. The approach is inverted from direct mechanical contact to indirect aerodynamic interaction.
3Reliability
If strong bond between impaled components and spikes is created, then transport reliability improves, but uncontrolled flight behavior occurs upon scraper contact
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical bonding system between spikes and components is replaced with an aerodynamic suspension system. Components are held and transported by airflow rather than mechanical bonding, allowing for controlled release without violent tearing and uncontrolled flight.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using strong mechanical bonding that causes violent release, the invention uses controlled aerodynamic holding that allows gentle, precise release of components, inverting the approach from forceful mechanical attachment to controlled fluid dynamic attachment.
Data Source
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AI summary
The sorting device (2) for separating components, preferably cardboard and/or cardboard boxes, from a material stream (S1), in particular containing paper and/or paper products, comprises a feeder (5) designed to convey the material stream (S1) and a separating unit (6) arranged downstream of the feeder (5) in its conveying direction (F1). The separating unit (6) is designed for linear further transport and subsequent discharge of the components of the material stream (S1) transferred to it via the feeder (5). The throwing distance (W1, W2) of a component of the material stream (S1), in particular of the component to be separated, can be manipulated via its further transport direction (T1-T4), which can be varied by the separating unit (6), preferably in terms of its inclination, relative to the conveying direction (F1) and/or its further transport speed, which can be varied by the separating unit (6).