Sorting Device Nozzle Flow Path Resistance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sorting devices face difficulties in efficiently sorting small resin pieces crushed from home appliances due to increased complexity in designing uniform air flow path resistance and large valve sizes when reducing nozzle distance and increasing their number.
Innovation Solution
The sorting device employs a configuration with a transport unit, identification unit, and nozzles with adjustable pulse air flow paths and valves, utilizing an adjustment flow path and screw mechanism to ensure uniform pulse air flow across multiple nozzles, allowing for closer nozzle spacing and efficient sorting of specific resin types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of nozzles is increased and nozzle distance is reduced to improve sorting coverage, then sorting capability is improved, but designing uniform air flow path resistance becomes more complex and valve sizes become larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the air flow path by introducing bent portions with specific angles (≥90° and <180°) and adding adjustment flow paths with volume-adjustable components. This allows uniform air flow distribution across multiple nozzles with different distances from the material stream, resolving the complexity of designing uniform resistance while maintaining high sorting capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the air flow path dynamically adjustable by incorporating adjustment members (such as adjustable flow paths with variable volume) that allow the resistance characteristics to be tuned. This enables the system to adapt to different nozzle configurations and maintain uniform air flow distribution as the system configuration changes
2Productivity
If the number of nozzles is increased and nozzle distance is reduced to improve sorting coverage, then sorting capability is improved, but valve sizes become larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the flow path geometry by adding bent portions and adjustment flow paths, which allows smaller valves to achieve uniform air flow distribution across multiple nozzles. The adjusted flow path resistance compensates for the reduced valve size while maintaining adequate air flow to all nozzles
3Manufacturing precision
If nozzles are arranged closer together to improve sorting precision, then sorting precision is improved, but air flow uniformity becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces bent portions with specific angle ranges (≥90° and <180°) and adjustment flow paths that can be tuned to maintain uniform air flow resistance across all nozzles. This allows nozzles to be arranged closer together while maintaining stable and uniform air flow distribution, as the adjusted flow paths compensate for the varying distances from the air source
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
This configuration enables effective sorting of small resin pieces by ensuring uniform air flow and reducing pressure loss, allowing for the collection of resin crushed into smaller sizes, thus promoting the utilization of resin resources.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of nozzles are arranged along a flying route above a flying route of the target and eject pulse air to the specific material that is flying from the transport unit
Implementation Method 2
An adjustment member capable of increasing and decreasing a volume of the adjustment flow path is provided in the adjustment flow path
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A sorting device includes a transport unit, an identification unit, and a plurality of nozzles. Each of the plurality of nozzles has a valve that adjusts a flow amount of pulse air, a pulse air flow path that is connected to the valve, and a pulse air blowing port that is arranged at a tip end of the pulse air flow path. The pulse air flow path has at least one bent portion. An adjustment flow path is connected to the bent portion of the pulse air flow path. An adjustment member capable of increasing and decreasing a volume of the adjustment flow path is provided in the adjustment flow path.