Sorting Machine Ejection Bar Cleaning Head
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic sorting and inspection machines face challenges with surface deposits on ejection and detection devices, leading to reduced sorting precision and increased risk of accidents during manual cleaning, as existing cleaning methods are ineffective or require machine shutdown.
Innovation Solution
An automatic dry cleaning system using a cleaning head with a scraping member and air nozzles that moves along the surface strip to remove deposits, utilizing compressed air and integrated into the machine's structure to maintain operation continuity without consumables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cleaning is performed to remove deposits on ejection and detection surfaces, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but machine operation must be stopped and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is integrated into the ejection device structure, allowing the machine to clean its own surfaces automatically during operation without external intervention. The cleaning head moves along the surface strip and activates nozzles to blow air and scrape deposits, enabling self-maintenance while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning operation is performed continuously or periodically during machine operation rather than waiting for shutdown. By anticipating the need for cleaning and performing it proactively during normal operation, the system prevents deposit accumulation that would affect ejection precision and detection accuracy
2Reliability
If manual cleaning is performed on moving components, then deposits are removed, but safety risks and accident potential increase
Solution Approach 1:
The machine performs self-cleaning through an integrated automated cleaning head that moves along the surface strip. This eliminates the need for operators to manually clean moving components, removing the safety hazard entirely while maintaining effective deposit removal
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical cleaning action is replaced with an automated system combining pneumatic nozzles and mechanical scraping. The cleaning head moves automatically along the surface, substituting human operators with an automated mechanism that eliminates safety risks
3Manufacturing precision
If ejection nozzles are positioned close to the conveyor outlet for precise ejection, then sorting precision is improved, but deposit accumulation on nozzle surfaces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning nozzles are positioned to blow air onto the surface strip before the ejection nozzles operate. This preliminary cleaning action prevents deposit accumulation on the ejection surfaces, maintaining ejection precision without requiring the nozzles to be positioned farther away
Solution Approach 2:
A surface strip is introduced as an intermediary element between the conveyor outlet and the ejection nozzles. This strip serves as a sacrificial surface that accumulates deposits instead of the critical ejection nozzle surfaces, protecting the precision components while maintaining close positioning
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
Ensures effective and safe cleaning of sensitive regions without disrupting the sorting or inspection process, utilizing existing resources and eliminating the need for frequent manual interventions, thus enhancing precision and safety.
Implementation Method 1
at least one nozzle (11) for blowing air of which the pressurized jet (11') is directed toward said surface strip (7)
Implementation Method 2
at least one scraping member (10), which moves in contact with at least said surface strip (7)
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic machine (2) for processing objects (3) passing in a flow (F) on a conveyor (4) has a selective ejection device (1) with at least one bar (5) with nozzles (6) that is disposed transverse to the direction of said flow (F), after the outlet or tipping end of said conveyor (4), and having an active surface strip (7) that corresponds to the installation region of the outlet openings (6′) of the nozzles (6) of the pneumatic bar (5), this surface strip (7) being situated beneath the conveying plane (4″) of the conveyor (4). This machine has a device (8) for cleaning at least said surface strip (7), this cleaning device (8) having at least one cleaning head (9) that is able to move in translation along the longitudinal axis (AL) of the bar (5) and at least over the entire extent of the installation or overlap region, said or each cleaning head (9) comprising at least one scraping member (10), which moves in contact with at least said surface strip (7), and at least one nozzle for blowing air of which the pressurized jet is directed toward said surface strip (7) and precedes the scraping member (10) during the movement of the mobile cleaning head (9).