V-Shaped Sieve Support Profile for Hygienic Screen Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sieve apparatuses face challenges in sanitary cleaning due to residual material bypassing the screen mesh and production losses, particularly when using elastomer materials that break down during Cleaning In Place (CIP) procedures, and existing support structures either allow unsorted material to escape or are difficult to clean.
Innovation Solution
A V-shaped support profile with an inclined surface, integrated into the side wall, provides a self-adjusting abutment for the screen mesh, preventing residual material from bypassing and allowing for easy access and thorough cleaning during CIP procedures, without relying on elastomer materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rectangular fixed bar is used to support the screen mesh, then sealing functionality is improved, but cleaning accessibility deteriorates and production loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support element is designed with a curved contour that follows the curvature of the screen mesh, eliminating sharp corners and creating smooth transitions. This curved geometry maintains sealing effectiveness while allowing cleaning solutions to flow freely over all surfaces, improving cleaning accessibility without compromising the sealing function.
2Reliability
If an elastomer element with packing lip is used to support the screen mesh, then sealing functionality is improved, but hygiene deteriorates and reliability under chemical cleaning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer packing lip is completely removed from the design. Instead of using elastomer material to create the seal, the invention employs a metal support element with a specifically contoured geometry that provides sealing through its shape alone, eliminating the hygiene and chemical resistance issues associated with elastomer materials.
3Ease of operation
If support bars and seal elements are removed to enable CIP cleaning, then cleaning accessibility is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to gaps allowing unsorted material to escape
Solution Approach 1:
The support element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for the screen mesh, creates a seal to prevent unsorted material from escaping, and maintains a geometry that allows complete cleaning accessibility. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate sealing components while achieving all required functions.
4Reliability
If elastomer materials are used in the support structure, then sealing functionality is improved, but durability under CIP cleaning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support element is constructed entirely from metal material with consistent properties throughout, eliminating the use of elastomer materials that degrade under chemical cleaning. The homogeneous metal construction provides both sealing functionality and long-term durability in the harsh chemical environment of CIP cleaning procedures.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
In a sieve apparatus, a housing (1) is provided with an inlet section with a feed inlet for material to be sifted and a discharge section including at least one outlet. Means are provided for vibrating the screen mesh. The housing has two substantially vertical side walls(2), and a screen mesh (5) having at least one side edge (51) is supported by a support structure (6, 7) connected to the respective side wall (2). The support structure includes a support element (7) along each side wall and adapted to support the screen mesh (5). Each support element is provided as a support profile (7) having an inclined support surface (73) for the side edge (51) of the screen mesh and constituting a V-shaped structure protruding into the housing, said support surface (73) meeting a lower surface (74) in an apex (75) located at a distance from the side wall (2) inside the housing (1). Specifically, each V- shaped support profile (7) is formed as an integral part of the respective side wall (2).