Strainer Rod Arrangement Device for Screw Press Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

The insertion and replacement of strainer rods in a screw press's strainer basket section are complex and require skill, making the process inefficient and potentially difficult to manage.

Innovation Solution

A device with receiving elements and clamping members that allow strainer rods to be arranged and secured in a stable package, facilitating easier insertion and removal by applying pressure transverse to the rods' longitudinal extension, and a connecting element serving as a handle for improved handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If strainer rods are inserted individually and clamped manually, then the strainer basket section can be assembled, but the process becomes complex and requires skilled operators

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEase of strainer rod insertionVSAvoidComplexity of assembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The strainer rod arrangement is divided into modular sections, each with its own receiving element and clamping elements. This segmentation allows independent assembly and handling of smaller units rather than manipulating the entire strainer basket section at once, reducing operational complexity and skill requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device introduced in the patent serves as an intermediary tool that facilitates the assembly process. This device includes receiving elements that guide strainer rods into position and clamping elements that secure them, acting as a mediator between the operator and the strainer rod assembly, thereby simplifying the operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If multiple clamping elements are used to secure strainer rods, then the strainer rod arrangement becomes stable, but handling and installation become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveStability of strainer rod arrangementVSAvoidEase of handling strainer rods
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple clamping elements are merged into a single integrated device structure. Instead of applying and adjusting multiple separate clamps, the unified device incorporates all clamping elements in a coordinated arrangement, allowing the operator to handle and secure multiple strainer rods simultaneously with one tool, thus maintaining stability while improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device serves multiple functions: it receives strainer rods, positions them accurately, applies clamping force through multiple clamping elements, and provides a handle for easy handling. This multi-functionality consolidates several operations into a single tool, reducing the number of steps and improving operator convenience while ensuring stable assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If strainer rods are arranged loosely for easy insertion, then handling is simplified, but the arrangement lacks stability and requires complex locking

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEase of strainer rod insertionVSAvoidStability of strainer rod arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving elements are designed to preliminarily position and guide the strainer rods into their correct arrangement before final clamping occurs. This preliminary action ensures proper alignment and stable positioning is achieved before the clamping elements are engaged, so the rods are easily inserted yet securely held in the final configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3650211B1Device for arranging strainer bars
Publication Date: 2021.09.22 DE SMET ROSEDOWNS LTD
  • EP3650211B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3650211B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A device for arranging strainer rods within a strainer basket section (32) provided in a compression chamber of a press with a screw for processing animal and/or plant material is described.The device has at least one receiving element (4), the inside (4c) of which is designed to receive a strainer rod arrangement (6) consisting of a plurality of strainer rods arranged side by side transversely to its longitudinal extent (L), as well as a first clamping element (8a) and a second clamping element (8b), wherein the first clamping element (8a) can be attached to the first end (4a) of the at least one receiving element (4) and the second clamping element (8b) can be attached to the second end (4b) of the at least one receiving element (4) such that the first and second clamping elements (8a, 8b) exert pressure on the strainer rod arrangement (6) to be received from the inside (4c) of the at least one receiving element (4) in a direction perpendicular or transverse to the longitudinal extent (L) of the strainer rods.Furthermore, at least one connecting element (10) can be detachably fastened with a first section (10a) to the first clamping element (8a) and with a second section (10b) to the second clamping element (8b).