Inorganic Waste Shredder With Torque-Limiting Knife Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional shredding machines for inorganic waste face issues such as high power consumption, safety concerns, noise, maintenance costs, jamming, and limited capacity for handling multiple types of waste, making them unsuitable for domestic use and inefficient in reducing waste volume effectively.

Innovation Solution

A machine with a controlled electric motor and electronic torque limiting mechanism that allows gradual material loading and shredding, using mobile elements and interlocking knives to manage torque and prevent excessive current absorption, enabling efficient shredding with reduced power consumption and enhanced safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional shredding machines are used to achieve high volumetric reduction, then the volume reduction efficiency is improved, but the power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolumetric reduction efficiencyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the knife system adjustable and adaptable during operation. The knives can be positioned at different heights and angles to optimize cutting efficiency for different waste types, allowing the machine to maintain high volumetric reduction while consuming less power by matching the cutting geometry to the specific material being processed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes physical parameters of the shredding system, specifically the adjustable height and angle of the knives relative to the anvil. This allows optimization of the cutting action for different waste types, achieving high volumetric reduction efficiency while reducing power consumption by using parameters better suited to each material rather than fixed high-power settings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If high-speed rotating blades are used for shredding, then the shredding speed is improved, but safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshredding speedVSAvoidsafety risks
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by using a stationary anvil and a reciprocating knife instead of two rotating blades. The knife moves back and forth in a controlled linear motion rather than rotating at high speed, dramatically reducing safety risks while maintaining effective shredding capability through the controlled cutting action against the anvil

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a reciprocating knife that can be easily replaced if damaged, rather than investing in expensive high-speed rotating blade systems. The simpler knife design is less dangerous and can be quickly changed, reducing safety risks while maintaining shredding effectiveness

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

3Quantity of substance

If large dimensions machines are used for industrial shredding, then the volumetric reduction capacity is improved, but the machine complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste processing capacityVSAvoidmachine complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the shredding process into distinct functional components: a stationary anvil, a reciprocating knife, and a feeding mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be simple and independent, reducing overall machine complexity while maintaining the capacity to handle various quantities of waste through efficient material flow management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal shredding machine that can handle multiple types of inorganic waste (glass, metal, plastic) with a single simple mechanism. The adjustable knife position and reciprocating motion provide multi-functionality across different material types without increasing machine complexity, unlike specialized industrial shredders for each material type

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

Data Source

PatentEP4153367B1Machine and method for shredding inorganic waste
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 FRIECO SOC BENEFIT SRL
  • EP4153367B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4153367B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP4153367B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(c)

AI summary

A machine (1) for shredding inorganic waste is described, comprising: first loading means (12); a shredding chamber (30); second shredding means (13); third unloading means (14); fourth electronic control means; fifth means for limiting the resisting torque applied to the motor (32), in such a way as to avoid current absorption that exceeds the capacity of the power supply network, said fifth means comprising one or more mobile elements (21) and a plurality of blades (33, 34, 36). A method for operating the machine is also described (1).