Vibration Mill Cylindrical Media Ratio for Cellulose Pulverization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for pulverizing cellulose-containing materials are inefficient in achieving fine pulverization within a short period and face challenges with increasing apparatus size, leading to lower pulverization efficiency and increased costs due to the difficulty and cost of forming projection parts, as well as abrasion-related efficiency decreases.

Innovation Solution

A vibration mill with a columnar space and cylindrical medium, where the ratio of the inner diameter of the cylindrical medium to the outer diameter of the pulverizing medium is 2.1 or more, and the integrated volume of the pulverizing media is over 25% of the space volume, enhances the pulverization process by increasing collision forces and number of collisions, allowing for efficient reduction of particle diameter and crystallinity within a short time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the apparatus size is increased to handle larger quantities of material, then the processing capacity is improved, but the pulverization efficiency becomes lower

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing capacityVSAvoidpulverization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The pulverizing medium is segmented into multiple cylindrical elements arranged in parallel within the container. Each cylinder acts as an independent pulverizing unit, allowing the system to scale processing capacity by adding more segments without sacrificing the high collision frequency and intensity that characterizes efficient pulverization in smaller units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If projection parts are formed on the rotating body to enhance pulverization, then the pulverization efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing cost and difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepulverization efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of forming projections on a rotating body as in conventional designs, this invention inverts the approach by using smooth cylindrical pulverizing media that rely on vibration-induced motion and inter-cylinder collisions. This eliminates the complex projection formation process while maintaining effective pulverization through the vibrational movement and stacking collisions of the cylindrical elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If projection parts are used on the rotating body, then the pulverization efficiency is enhanced, but abrasion of the projection parts causes efficiency to decrease over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepulverization efficiencyVSAvoiddurability against abrasion
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cylindrical pulverizing media are designed as simple, replaceable components without complex projection structures that are prone to wear. While the cylinders themselves will eventually wear, their simple cylindrical geometry allows for easy replacement without requiring precision re-machining of projections, and they maintain effective pulverization throughout their service life through vibration-induced collisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Productivity

If fine pulverization is achieved within a short period, then the productivity is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepulverization speedVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses mechanical vibration to agitate the cylindrical pulverizing media, causing them to move rapidly and collide with the material being pulverized. This vibrational energy is more efficiently converted into pulverization work compared to conventional rotating systems, achieving fine pulverization faster while maintaining reasonable energy consumption through resonant frequency optimization and reduced mechanical friction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

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 method effectively reduces particle diameter and crystallinity of cellulose-containing materials within a short time, enhancing productivity and handling properties, making it suitable for industrial applications such as cosmetics and food stuffs.

Implementation Method 1

a container (1) having therein a columnar space with a central axis of the columnar space being disposed so as to be almost horizontal while the container being held so as to be vibratable in a direction of within a plane that is almost perpendicular to the central axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

allowing for efficient reduction of particle diameter and crystallinity within a short time

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Implementation Method 3

a plurality of pulverizing media (3) disposed inside the cylindrical medium (2) so as to be vibratable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 4

enhances the pulverization process by increasing collision forces and number of collisions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectKinetic energy:

Data Source

PatentEP2737954B1Method for manufacturing pulverized material and vibrating pulverizer
Publication Date: 2019.10.23 KAO CORP
  • EP2737954B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2737954B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2737954B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

According to the present invention, particle diameter of a raw material to be pulverized can be made small within a short period of time. Provided by the invention is a vibration mill which is provided with: a container (1) having therein a columnar space with a central axis of the columnar space being disposed so as to be almost horizontal while the container being held so as to be vibratable in a direction of within a plane that is almost perpendicular to the central axis, a cylindrical medium (2) disposed in the container (1) so as to be vibratable, and a plurality of pulverizing media (3a, 3b) disposed inside the cylindrical medium (2) so as to be vibratable. The ratio of an inner diameter of the cylindrical medium (2) in contacted with the pulverizing medium (3 a, 3b) to an outer diameter of the pulverizing medium (3 a, 3b) (inner diameter of the cylindrical medium (2) in contacted with the pulverizing medium (3a, 3b)/outer diameter of the pulverizing medium (3a, 3b)) is 2.1 or more, and the integrated value of volumes of the pulverizing media (3 a, 3b) relative to a space volume inside the cylindrical medium (2) in contacted with the pulverizing medium (3a, 3b) is more than 25%.