Wobbling Grinding Member Milling Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing milling devices, such as roller mills and ball mills, are either costly, inefficient in energy usage, or ineffective in producing finely ground material due to complex designs and inefficient force transmission.
Innovation Solution
A milling device with a grinding member and table that uses a plurality of actuators connected to a controller to create a wobbling motion, applying both compression and shearing forces to grind material, which is more energy-efficient and cost-effective than traditional mills.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If roller mills are used to apply compression and shear forces directly to grind material, then grinding efficiency is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to complicated stands, pressure levers, lubrication systems, multistage gear reducers, and large bearings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex mechanical transmission components (gear reducers, pressure levers, lubrication systems) from the roller mill design. Instead of using traditional mechanical force transmission through multiple stages, the invention directly applies compression and shear forces through simplified roller mechanisms, removing unnecessary intermediate components while maintaining grinding effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex multistage mechanical gear reducers with a simplified direct-drive mechanical system. The roller mill design uses straightforward mechanical force application without requiring complicated transmission mechanisms, substituting the complex mechanical system with a more efficient and simpler alternative that achieves the same grinding function.
2Device complexity
If ball mills are used to grind material via impact and shearing forces, then design simplicity is improved, but energy consumption increases due to random ball movement causing energy waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces controlled dynamic motion to the grinding rollers, allowing them to move in a coordinated manner to optimize material contact. Instead of static or random movement, the rollers dynamically adjust their positions and speeds to maintain optimal grinding conditions, improving energy utilization while keeping the design relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic motion patterns in the roller operation, where the rollers undergo cyclic compression and shear cycles. This periodic action ensures consistent material processing and maximizes energy transfer to the material being ground, preventing energy waste while maintaining design simplicity.
3Force
If roller mills use large thrust capabilities to support the table and grinding force, then grinding force capability is improved, but cost increases relative to other mills
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the grinding force application into multiple smaller roller units working in parallel. Instead of requiring a single large-thrust mechanism, the system divides the total grinding force into several smaller force vectors applied by individual rollers, reducing the thrust capability requirements for each component and lowering overall manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent redistributes the grinding force application across multiple dimensions by using several rollers positioned at different locations. This dimensional distribution of force application reduces the burden on any single support structure, allowing for more cost-effective manufacturing while maintaining adequate total grinding force capability.
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 wobbling motion of the grinding member allows for efficient grinding of materials to a predetermined size range with reduced energy consumption and lower production costs compared to roller mills and ball mills, while maintaining simplicity in design.
Implementation Method 1
Each actuator is connected to the grinding member such that movement of each actuator causes at least a portion of the grinding member to move from a raised position to a lowered position to grind material
Implementation Method 2
The controller is configured to cause the actuators to move in a sequence that causes the grinding member to wobble as the grinding member is moved by the actuators to grind the material
Data Source
AI summary
A milling device includes a grinding member, a table, a plurality of actuators and a controller. The table has a grinding surface. The table is positioned adjacent to the grinding member such that the grinding surface faces toward at least a portion of the grinding member. The table and the grinding member at least partially define a grinding chamber sized and configured to receive material. Each actuator is connected to the grinding member such that movement of that actuator causes at least a portion of the grinding member to move from a raised position to a lowered position to grind the material. The controller is connected to the actuators and is configured to cause the actuators to move in a sequence that causes the grinding member to wobble as the grinding member is moved by the actuators to grind material.