DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SEPARATING MATERIALS

A device and a method for separating materials. The device includes a material receiving plate arranged to receive materials to be separated, a first pair of supporting members coupled to opposite sides of the material receiving plate via respective pendulum rods, and a second pair of supporting members coupled to the opposite sides of the material receiving plate via respective pendulum rods and spaced apart from the first pair of supporting members. The device also includes a driving mechanism and a transmission mechanism.

FIELD

Embodiments of present disclosure generally relate to the field of material separating, and more particularly, to a device and a method for separating materials.

BACKGROUND

In the field of food processing, strip materials, such as sausages, spicy strips, instant noodle forks and the like, are typically conveyed by a conveyor and picked up by a robot arm during the conveying for further processing. However, since the incoming materials are often placed in a box or a basket in a disordered state, it is necessary to separate the stacked or crossed materials before placing them onto the conveyor. In the current market, the separating of the materials is a challenge for food manufacturers.

Vibrator bowls are conventionally utilized to separate the strip materials (especially the instant noodle forks) in the disordered state. However, such a material separating mechanism has many drawbacks and is hard to meet the needs of automatic production. For example, the material separating speed of the vibrator bowl is relatively slow. In order to meet the actual production requirements, 4-5 vibrator bowls are usually required to operate at the same time. In addition, the adaptability of the vibrator bowl is poor. When a different type of material is to be separated, a disc of the vibrator bowl would usually need to be replaced. Since the disk of the vibrator bowl is typically heavy, it would take much time and effort to replace the disk. Further, the materials to be separated sometimes may get stuck in the vibrator bowl, which would require manual intervention of an operator and thus adversely affect the production efficiency. Moreover, the vibrator bowl also has the disadvantages of large area and high noise.

Thus, there is need for a solution for separating the materials which could better meet the needs of automatic production.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing problems, various example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a device and a method for separating materials so as to improve the efficiency and adaptability of the material separating.

In a first aspect of the present disclosure, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a device for separating materials. The device comprises a material receiving plate arranged to receive materials to be separated; a first pair of supporting members coupled to opposite sides of the material receiving plate via respective pendulum rods; a second pair of supporting members coupled to the opposite sides of the material receiving plate via respective pendulum rods and spaced apart from the first pair of supporting members; a driving mechanism comprising a rotatable output shaft; and a transmission mechanism arranged between the output shaft and the material receiving plate. The transmission mechanism comprises a cam arranged on the output shaft and being rotatable along with the output shaft; a connecting seat arranged on the material receiving plate; and a connecting rod coupled to the cam at a first end thereof and coupled to the connecting seat at a second end thereof opposite to the first end.

In some embodiments, the driving mechanism comprises a motor; and a reducer coupled to the motor, wherein the output shaft is arranged on the reducer.

In some embodiments, the output shaft is provided with a protrusion at its periphery, and the cam comprises a first mounting hole for insertion of the output shaft and a recess for cooperation with the protrusion at an internal wall of the first mounting hole.

In some embodiments, the connecting rod comprises a first main part; a first pin shaft arranged on the first main part via a hinge at the first end of the connecting rod, the first pin shaft being coupled to the cam; and a second pin shaft arranged on the first main part via a hinge at the second end of the connecting rod, the second pin shaft being coupled to the connecting seat.

In some embodiments, the cam comprises a second mounting hole at a distance from the output shaft, and the first pin shaft is inserted into to the second mounting hole.

In some embodiments, the material receiving plate comprises a sieve plate having a top side configured to receive the materials to be separated and a bottom side opposite to the top side; a first mounting plate arranged at the bottom side of the sieve plate and coupled to the first pair of supporting members via the respective pendulum rods; and a second mounting plate arranged at the bottom side of the sieve plate at a distance from the first mounting plate and coupled to the second pair of supporting members via the respective pendulum rods.

In some embodiments, the sieve plate comprises a plurality of ribs arranged in parallel at the top side of the sieve plate.

In some embodiments, each of the first and second mounting plates comprises a supporting part coupled to the bottom side of the sieve plate to support the sieve plate; and a pair of mounting parts arranged at both ends of the supporting part respectively and coupled to the respective pair of the supporting members via the respective pendulum rods.

In some embodiments, the connecting seat is arranged on the supporting part of the first mounting plate.

In some embodiments, the height of the second pair of supporting members is lower than the height of the first pair of supporting members such that the material receiving plate is tilted.

In some embodiments, each of the pendulum rods comprises a second main part; a third pin shaft arranged on the second main part via a hinge at an end of the second main part, the third pin shaft being coupled to the respective one of the first pair of supporting members and the second pair of supporting members; and a fourth pin shaft arranged on the second main part via a hinge at the other end of the second main part, the fourth pin shaft being coupled to the material receiving plate.

In a second aspect of the present disclosure, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of separating materials using the device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure. The method comprises receiving the materials to be separated on the material receiving plate; and causing the output shaft of the driving mechanism to rotate to drive the material receiving plate to move upwards and downwards and forwards and backwards via the transmission mechanism so as to separate the materials on the material receiving plate.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the cam may rotate along with the output shaft of the driving mechanism and thus drive the connecting rod to realize continuous reciprocating motion. Then, the connecting rod would drive the material receiving plate to move upwards and downwards and forwards and backwards repeatedly. In this way, the materials placed onto the material receiving plate may be substantially separated from each other.

Comparing with the conventional vibrator bowl, the separating device according to embodiments of the present disclosure would have a higher material separating speed due to the up-and-down and back-and-fourth motion of the material receiving plate, meeting the needs of automatic production.

Moreover, the separating device according to embodiments of the present disclosure has good adaptability for different types of materials. That is, the separating device may be used to separate different types of materials.

In addition, during the material separating process, the materials may be sufficiently separated on the material receiving plate and delivered to a next stage. Thus, there is no risk of materials being stuck.

Furthermore, comparing with the conventional vibrator bowl, the separating device according to embodiments of the present disclosure has smaller area and lower noise.

Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference symbols are used to indicate the same or similar elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to several example embodiments shown in the drawings. Though example embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated in the drawings, it is to be understood that the embodiments are described only to facilitate those skilled in the art in better understanding and thereby achieving the present disclosure, rather than to limit the scope of the disclosure in any manner.

The term “comprises” or “includes” and its variants are to be read as open terms that mean “includes, but is not limited to.” The term “or” is to be read as “and/or” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term “based on” is to be read as “based at least in part on.” The term “being operable to” is to mean a function, an action, a motion or a state can be achieved by an operation induced by a user or an external mechanism. The term “one embodiment” and “an embodiment” are to be read as “at least one embodiment.” The term “another embodiment” is to be read as “at least one other embodiment.” The terms “first,” “second,” and the like may refer to different or same objects. Other definitions, explicit and implicit, may be included below. A definition of a term is consistent throughout the description unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Furthermore, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. In the description below, like reference numerals and labels are used to describe the same, similar or corresponding parts in the figures. Other definitions, explicit and implicit, may be included below.

As discussed above, the material separating speed of the conventional vibrator bowl is relatively slow. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, to improve the material separating efficiency, the transmission mechanism with a specific configuration is provided between the driving mechanism and the material receiving plate so as to drive the material receiving plate to move upwards and downwards and forwards and backwards. The above idea may be implemented in various manners, as will be described in detail in the following paragraphs.

Hereinafter, the principles of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference toFIGS.1-10. Referring toFIGS.1and2first,FIG.1illustrates a perspective view of a device100for separating materials in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure viewed in a direction, andFIG.2illustrates a perspective view of the device100as shown inFIG.1viewed in a different direction. As shown inFIGS.1and2, the device100described herein generally includes a material receiving plate6, a first pair of supporting members21, a second pair of supporting members22, a driving mechanism1, and a transmission mechanism30. The material receiving plate6is arranged to receive materials to be separated at its upper surface. The supporting members21and22are arranged to support the material receiving plate6via respective pendulum rods7. The transmission mechanism30is arranged between the driving mechanism1and the material receiving plate6so as to transfer motion from the driving mechanism1to the material receiving plate6.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIGS.1and2, the material receiving plate6is generally of rectangular shape and includes first, second, third, and fourth sides601,602,603,604. The first side601is opposite to the second side602, and the third side603is opposite to the fourth side604. During the material separating process, the materials to be separated may be placed onto the upper surface of the material receiving plate6via a centrifuge, an elevator, or other material supply devices.

The supporting members21and22may be arranged on a working table, on the ground, or at various other sites. One of the first pair of supporting members21is coupled to the first side601of the material receiving plate6via the respective pendulum rod7, and the other one of the first pair of supporting members21is coupled to the second side602of the material receiving plate6via the respective pendulum rod7. Likewise, one of the second pair of supporting members22is coupled to the first side601of the material receiving plate6via the respective pendulum rod7, and the other one of the second pair of supporting members22is coupled to the second side602of the material receiving plate6via the respective pendulum rod7. The second pair of supporting members22is spaced apart from the first pair of supporting members21. In other words, the second pair of supporting members22is arranged at a different position from the first pair of supporting members21along the first and second sides601,602of the material receiving plate6.

Each of the pendulum rods7is coupled to the respective one of the supporting members21and22at an end and coupled to the material receiving plate6at the other end. With such an arrangement, the material receiving plate6is capable of swinging with respect to the supporting members21and22upon being driven by the driving mechanism1via the transmission mechanism30.

As shown inFIGS.1and2, the driving mechanism1is arranged on a third supporting member23and includes a rotatable output shaft10. When the driving mechanism1is powered on, the output shaft10would rotate along a predetermined direction. The transmission mechanism30is arranged between the output shaft10of the driving mechanism1and the material receiving plate6so as to drive the material receiving plate6when the driving mechanism1operates.

The transmission mechanism30includes a cam3, a connecting seat5, and a connecting rod4. The cam3is arranged on the output shaft10and may rotate along with the output shaft10. The connecting seat5is arranged on the material receiving plate6. The connecting rod4is coupled to the cam3at a first end thereof and coupled to the connecting seat5at a second end thereof opposite to the first end, so as to transfer motion from the driving mechanism1to the material receiving plate6. With such an arrangement, the cam3may rotate along with the output shaft10of the driving mechanism1and thus drive the connecting rod4to realize continuous reciprocating motion. Then, the connecting rod4would drive the material receiving plate6to swing with respect to the supporting members21and22, i.e., to move upwards and downwards and forwards and backwards repeatedly. In this way, the materials placed onto the material receiving plate6may be separated from each other efficiently, meeting the needs of automatic production.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIGS.1and2, the height of the second pair of supporting members22is lower than the height of the first pair of supporting members21such that the material receiving plate6is tilted from the third side603to the fourth side604. With such an arrangement, the materials to be separated may be placed onto the upper surface of the material receiving plate6near to the third side603of the material receiving plate6. As the material receiving plate6moves upwards and downwards and forwards and backwards repeatedly, the materials may move towards the fourth side604of the material receiving plate6and may be delivered to a next stage, such as a conveyor.

It is to be understood that the relationship between the heights of the supporting members21and22as shown inFIGS.1and2is only used as an example, but is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. In some embodiments, the heights of the supporting members21and22may have other relationships. For example, the heights of the supporting members21and22may be generally equal to each other, or the height of the supporting members21may be lower than the height of the supporting members22.

FIG.3illustrates an example construction of the driving mechanism1. As shown, the driving mechanism1includes a motor11and a reducer12coupled to the motor11. The output shaft10is arranged on the reducer12. The reducer12is provided with a flange13adapted to be mounted onto the third supporting member23as shown inFIGS.1and2. With such an arrangement, when the motor11is powered on, the reducer12may drive the output shaft10to rotate at a desired speed. It is to be understood that the construction of the driving mechanism1as shown inFIG.3is only used as an example, but is not intended to limit the scope of the present application.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.3, the output shaft10is provided with a protrusion101at its periphery. The protrusion101substantially extends along a length direction of the output shaft10. Accordingly, as shown inFIG.4, the cam3includes a first mounting hole31for insertion of the output shaft10and a recess32for cooperation with the protrusion101. The recess32is formed at an internal wall of the first mounting hole31. With such an arrangement, when the output shaft10is inserted into the first mounting hole31, the protrusion101may be positioned inside the recess32such that the cam3and the output shaft10rotate simultaneously. In other embodiments, the cam3may be mounted onto the output shaft10in other manners. The scope of the present application is not intended to be limited in this respect.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIG.4, the cam3further includes a second mounting hole33at a distance from the first mounting hole31. The second mounting hole33is to be coupled to the connecting rod4, which will be described hereinafter in conjunction withFIGS.1-2and5.

FIG.5illustrates an example construction of the connecting rod4. As shown inFIGS.1-2and5, the connecting rod4includes a first main part40, a first pin shaft41, and a second pin shaft42. The first pin shaft41is arranged on the first main part40via a hinge (not shown) at the first end of the connecting rod4. The second pin shaft42is arranged on the first main part40via a hinge (not shown) at the second end of the connecting rod4. The first pin shaft41is suitable for being coupled to the cam3. For example, the first pin shaft41may be inserted into the second mounting hole33and fixedly coupled to the cam3. The second pin shaft42is suitable for being coupled to the connecting seat5. With such an arrangement, when the output shaft10of the driving mechanism1drives the cam3to rotate, the cam3would drive the connecting rod4to realize continuous reciprocating motion. In the meanwhile, the first and second pin shafts41,42would rotate with respect to the first main part40.

It is to be understood that the construction of the connecting rod4as shown inFIG.5is only used as an example, but is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. For example, in some embodiments, the first and second pin shafts41,42may be fixedly mounted on the first main part40. Accordingly, the first pin shaft41may rotate with respect to the cam3, and the second pin shaft42may rotate with respect to the connecting seat5. With such an arrangement, the motion transferring between the driving mechanism1and the material receiving plate6may also be achieved via the connecting rod4.

FIG.6illustrates an example construction of the connecting seat5. As shown, the connecting seat5includes a base part51and a pair of connecting parts52. The connecting parts52are arranged in parallel on the base part51. The base part51is provided with third mounting holes511suitable for mounting the connecting seat5onto the material receiving plate6through fasteners, such as screws. Each of the connecting parts52is provided with a fourth mounting hole521suitable for being coupled to the second pin shaft42of the connecting rod4. It is to be understood that the construction of the connecting seat5as shown inFIG.6is only used as an example, but is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. The connecting seat5may have various constructions.

FIG.7illustrates an example construction of the material receiving plate6. In an embodiment, as shown inFIG.7, the material receiving plate6includes a sieve plate63, a first mounting plate61, and a second mounting plate62.

As shown inFIG.7, the sieve plate63has a top side configured to receive the materials to be separated and a bottom side opposite to the top side. A plurality of ribs631are provided in parallel at the top side of the sieve plate63. Each of the ribs631extends from the third side603to the fourth side604of the material receiving plate6. Accordingly, a plurality of grooves632are provided between the ribs631. With such an arrangement, when the material receiving plate6move upwards and downwards and forwards and backwards repeatedly under driving of the driving mechanism1, the materials, especially strip materials, on the top side of the sieve plate63may be separated by the ribs631and the grooves632efficiently.

As shown inFIG.7, the sieve plate63is supported by the first and second mounting plates61,62. The first mounting plate61is arranged at the bottom side of the sieve plate63. The first mounting plate61is suitable for being coupled to the first pair of supporting members21via the respective pendulum rods7. The second mounting plate62is also arranged at the bottom side of the sieve plate63and spaced apart from the first mounting plate61. The second mounting plate62is suitable for being coupled to the second pair of supporting members22via the respective pendulum rods7.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.7, the first mounting plate61includes a supporting part611and a pair of mounting parts612. The supporting part611is coupled to the bottom side of the sieve plate63to support the sieve plate63. For example, the supporting part611may be provided with fifth mounting holes613suitable for coupling the first mounting plate61on to the sieve plate63through fasteners. The mounting parts612are arranged at both ends of the supporting part611respectively and suitable for being coupled to the respective pair of the supporting members21,22via the respective pendulum rods7. For example, each of the mounting parts612may be provided with a sixth mounting hole614suitable for being coupled to the respective pendulum rod7.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIGS.1-2and7, the connecting seat5is arranged on the supporting part611of the first mounting plate61near to the first side601of the material receiving plate6. However, this is only an example position, but is not a limitation to the position of the connecting seat5. In other embodiments, the connecting seat5may be arranged near to the middle of the supporting part611of the first mounting plate61, near to the second side602of the material receiving plate6, or at other positions of the material receiving plate6.

It is to be understood that the construction of the material receiving plate6as shown inFIG.7is only used as an example, but is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. In other embodiments, the material receiving plate6may have other constructions. For example, the material receiving plate6may be integrally formed, instead of consisting of several parts.

FIG.8illustrates an example construction of the pendulum rod7. In an embodiments, as shown inFIGS.1-2and8, each of the pendulum rods7includes a second main part70, a third pin shaft71, and a fourth pin shaft72. The third pin shaft71is arranged on the second main part70via a hinge (not shown) at an end of the second main part70. The fourth pin shaft72is arranged on the second main part70via a hinge (not shown) at the other end of the second main part70. The third pin shaft71is suitable for being coupled to the respective one of the supporting members21and22. The fourth pin shaft72is suitable for being coupled to the material receiving plate6. For example, the fourth pin shaft72may be inserted into the sixth mounting hole614of the mounting plates61and62and fixedly mounted on the material receiving plate6, as shown inFIGS.1-2and7-8. With such an arrangement, the material receiving plate6is capable of swinging with respect to the supporting members21and22upon being driven by the driving mechanism1via the transmission mechanism30.

It is to be understood that the construction of the pendulum rod7as shown inFIG.8is only used as an example, but is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. For example, in some embodiments, the third and fourth pin shafts71,72may be fixedly mounted on the second main part70. Accordingly, the third pin shaft71may rotate with respect to the respective one of the supporting members21and22, and the fourth pin shaft72may rotate with respect to the material receiving plate6. With such an arrangement, the swinging of the material receiving plate6with respect to the supporting members21and22may also be achieved.

FIGS.9and10illustrates the moving direction of the materials separated by the material receiving plate6in front and top views of the device100as shown inFIG.1, respectively. As shown, the materials to be separated are placed onto the upper surface of the material receiving plate6near to first pair of supporting members21. Since the height of the second pair of supporting members22is lower than the height of the first pair of supporting members21, the materials would move in a direction from the supporting members21to the supporting members22, as indicated by the arrows.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the cam3may rotate along with the output shaft10of the driving mechanism1and thus drive the connecting rod4to realize continuous reciprocating motion. Then, the connecting rod4would drive the material receiving plate6to move upwards and downwards and forwards and backwards repeatedly. In this way, the materials placed onto the material receiving plate6may be substantially separated from each other.

Comparing with the conventional vibrator bowl, the separating device100would have a higher material separating speed due to the up-and-down and back-and-fourth motion of the material receiving plate6, meeting the needs of automatic production.

Moreover, the separating device100has good adaptability for different types of materials. That is, the separating device100may be used to separate different types of materials, such as sausages, spicy strips, instant noodle forks and the like.

In addition, during the material separating process, the materials may be sufficiently separated on the material receiving plate6and delivered to a next stage. Thus, there is no risk of materials being stuck.

Furthermore, comparing with the conventional vibrator bowl, the separating device100has smaller area and lower noise.

Embodiments of the present disclosure also provides a method for separating materials using the device100as described above with reference toFIGS.1-10. The method includes receiving the materials to be separated on the material receiving plate6; and causing the output shaft10of the driving mechanism1to rotate to drive the material receiving plate6to move upwards and downwards and forwards and backwards via the transmission mechanism30so as to separate the materials on the material receiving plate6.