Ultrasonic Vibration Sieving Element for Clogging-Free Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing product separation technologies, such as sieving and filtration, face issues with clogging, unsatisfactory extraction rates, reproducibility, and internal retention of products, particularly in the fields of dry powders and fluids, due to mechanical movement and inadequate energy distribution.

Innovation Solution

A product separation device utilizing an electroacoustic converter to induce ultrasonic vibrations in a filtering or sieving element, allowing for continuous and silent operation without mechanical movement, with energy solely provided by ultrasonic waves, and utilizing gravity for residue evacuation, ensuring optimal reproducibility and adaptability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If mechanical means are used to set the filtering element in motion, then product distribution and scraping along the filtering element is improved, but filter element clogging increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct distributionVSAvoidfilter element clogging
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies ultrasonic vibrations to the filtering element to prevent clogging while maintaining product distribution. The vibrations create acoustic streaming that moves particles along the filtering surface without mechanical contact, resolving the contradiction between effective product distribution and filter clogging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical scraping mechanisms with an acoustic field generated by ultrasonic transducers. This substitution eliminates mechanical contact that causes clogging while maintaining the ability to move and distribute products across the filtering element through acoustic radiation pressure and streaming.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If ultrasonic vibration assistance techniques are used in addition to mechanical means, then filter element clogging is reduced, but extraction rate and reproducibility become unsatisfactory

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter element cloggingVSAvoidextraction rate reproducibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the mechanical means from the system, using solely ultrasonic vibrations to achieve both clogging prevention and reliable product extraction. By removing the mechanical component that interferes with ultrasonic action, the system achieves consistent extraction rates and reproducibility while maintaining anti-clogging benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes ultrasonic vibration parameters (frequency, amplitude, power distribution) to simultaneously achieve effective particle extraction, prevent clogging, and ensure reproducible results. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system resolves the contradiction between reducing clogging and maintaining reliable extraction performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If mechanical means are used for continuous operation, then productivity is improved, but internal product retention zones are formed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidinternal product retention
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical conveying mechanisms with acoustic streaming generated by ultrasonic vibrations. The acoustic field continuously moves particles across the filtering element and prevents accumulation in retention zones, enabling continuous operation without product loss while eliminating the need for mechanical scraping or conveying systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The solution achieves high reproducibility and adaptability in product separation with continuous operation, eliminating internal retention zones and enhancing extraction rates by using ultrasonic vibrations to propel particles through the sieving or filtering element, ensuring efficient and silent processing.

Implementation Method 1

a structure vibrated by an electroacoustic converter and supporting a filtering or sieving element. The assembly is configured so that the separation of products into passers-by through the filtering or sieving element and rejections results solely from ultrasonic vibrations of the filtering or sieving element induced by the vibration of the structure by the converter electroacoustic.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 2

The assembly can be configured in such a way that the evacuation of the residues from the filtering or sieving element results solely from the effect of gravity to allow separation of the products and continuous evacuation of the residues without forming internal retention zones of products.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2750808B1Method and device for separating products
Publication Date: 2016.04.06 LE MEUR JEAN PIERRE
  • EP2750808B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2750808B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The product separation uses a structure (11) that is set in vibration by an electroacoustic converter (12) and supports a filtering or screening element (13). The assembly is configured in such a way that product separation into undersized particles that pass through the filtering or screening element and oversized particles results solely from the ultrasonic vibrations of the filtering or screening element which are induced by the setting of the structure in vibration by the electroacoustic converter.