Wind Sorting Machine for Plastic Bottle Fragment Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current plastic recycling technologies lack an efficient method to separate plastic bottle fragments from labels and dust, leading to contamination and reduced recyclable material quality.

Innovation Solution

A wind sorting machine is designed with a material mixing portion, sorting chamber, and centrifugal fan system that uses negative pressure to separate lightweight debris like labels from plastic fragments based on aerodynamic differences, featuring a feeding unit with an inclined feeding tank and electromagnetic vibrator to disperse materials evenly and a fan system that increases air flow speed for effective sorting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional mixing methods are used, then materials are combined, but separation efficiency is low and contamination remains high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidsorting speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The sorting chamber is divided into multiple independent sorting zones, each handling specific material types. The feeding unit distributes materials to multiple sorting chambers simultaneously, enabling parallel processing that maintains high separation efficiency while increasing overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A centrifugal fan generates controlled air flow through the sorting chamber, creating pneumatic separation. Lightweight debris like labels and dust are carried away by air current while heavier plastic fragments fall through, achieving efficient separation without mechanical contact that would reduce sorting speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Manufacturing precision

If air flow speed is increased to improve separation, then lightweight debris is removed better, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidfan energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The centrifugal fan operates at variable speeds controlled by a frequency converter, allowing the air flow rate to be dynamically adjusted according to sorting requirements. This enables optimal energy consumption while maintaining high separation efficiency for different material types and contamination levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters including air flow speed, fan rotation frequency, and feeding rate to optimize separation efficiency. By adjusting these parameters based on material characteristics, the system achieves effective debris removal without excessive energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If materials are fed quickly to increase productivity, then sorting speed improves, but material distribution uniformity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesorting speedVSAvoidmaterial distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The feeding unit performs preliminary material distribution and pre-s separation before materials enter the sorting chamber. This preliminary action ensures uniform material distribution across multiple sorting zones, maintaining separation efficiency even at high feeding speeds that increase overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A material distribution mechanism acts as an intermediary between the feeding source and sorting chambers, evenly distributing materials before they enter the sorting zone. This intermediary component ensures uniform material flow to multiple sorting chambers simultaneously, maintaining both high sorting speed and material distribution uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4487967A1Wind sorting machine
Publication Date: 2025.01.08 ZHEJIANG BORETECH
  • EP4487967A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4487967A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4487967A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application provides a wind sorting machine (1). The wind sorting machine (1) includes a material mixing portion (11), a sorting portion (12), and a material collection platform (13). The sorting portion (12) is arranged around the material mixing portion (11). The sorting portion includes a feeding unit (120) and a sorting chamber (121). An inlet of the feeding unit (E120) is connected to a material outlet (C11). An inlet of the sorting chamber is connected to an outlet (C120) of the feeding unit (120). An upper end of the sorting chamber (121) is in communication with a centrifugal fan (141). The centrifugal fan (141) is configured to generate negative pressure in the sorting chamber (121) to screen materials. The material mixing portion (11) and the sorting portion (12) are arranged on the material collection platform (13). A material collection port (E13) of the material collection platform (13) is in communication with a lower end of the sorting chamber (121). The material collection platform (13) is configured to collect screened materials.