Vibratory Tray Flow Separation for Granule Image Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to distribute solid materials in fluid form spatially separated from one another on a horizontal surface efficiently and automatically, which is necessary for processes involving digital image acquisition.
Innovation Solution
A vibrating tray with flow separation elements having wedge-shaped front portions and inclined channelling faces, which induce deceleration and temporal dispersion of material flow, ensuring spatial separation of individual elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If material is fed continuously to collection bay, then productivity is improved, but individual granules become superimposed making digital image acquisition impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The feeding system divides the continuous material flow into separate streams using multiple flow separation elements arranged in rows. Each element creates individual passage channels that guide granules along separated paths, preventing superposition and enabling clear digital imaging while maintaining continuous feeding operation
Solution Approach 2:
Flow separation elements act as intermediary structures between the continuous material flow and the collection bay. These elements with wedge-shaped front portions and inclined channelling faces redirect and separate granules, creating spatial distribution that allows both continuous feeding and clear image acquisition
2Measurement precision
If flow separation elements are added to separate granules, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple simple flow separation elements arranged in rows rather than a single complex mechanism. Each element is a straightforward structure with wedge-shaped front portion and inclined faces, but collectively they achieve sophisticated granule separation and spatial distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The flow separation elements utilize the natural flow characteristics of granular material and gravity to achieve separation. The inclined channelling faces automatically guide granules along predetermined paths without requiring additional actuators or complex control mechanisms
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 system effectively distributes solid materials in fluid form spatially separated on a horizontal surface, facilitating clear digital image acquisition and quality control by ensuring each fragment is visible and recognizable.
Implementation Method 1
A vibrating tray with flow separation elements having wedge-shaped front portions and inclined channelling faces, which induce deceleration and temporal dispersion of material flow
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
Feeding system (1) of a solid material in fluid form comprising a vibrating tray (2) having a feeding surface (11) for feeding said solid material in fluid form along a feeding direction (5), a plurality of flow separation elements (6) arranged on the feeding surface (11) spatially separated from each other to realize one or more passage channels (7) for the solid material in fluid form, wherein each flow separation element (6) comprises a wedge-shaped front portion (8) facing against the feeding direction (5) and comprising a first and a second channeling face facing respective distinct passage channels (7) and wherein each of the first and second channeling face is inclined with respect to the feeding surface (11) by a respective acute angle.