EP4039379A1

EP4039379A1 - Device and method for separating elements based on their dimensions

Info

Publication number: EP4039379A1
Application number: EP21155528.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sara Carniello; David Martinez Llanos
Original assignee: K3lab Og
Current assignee: K3lab Og
Priority date: 2021-02-05
Filing date: 2021-02-05
Publication date: 2022-08-10

Abstract

Device for separating elements based on their dimensions, comprising conveyor means with a plurality of traction belts arranged in parallel, forming spaces between said belts, and at least one array of elevation columns with rows of columns arranged extended below the conveyor means, where the array of elevation columns is moved vertically, such that the rows of columns are able to pass through the spaces formed between the traction belts and elevate the elements supported on the traction belts based on their dimensions, for their separation. Another object of the invention is a method likewise intended for the separation of elements based on their dimensions.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is encompassed within the technical field of the sorting, selection or separation of heterogeneous solid elements, based on their dimensions or volume. It refers to elements received in a grouped manner that cannot be easily selected or differentiated, and therefore, it is sought to achieve their separation and selection for different subsequent processes, for example, recycling processes of various waste materials. Solid element separation is required in multiple industries, such as recycling, food, mining, etc.
Specifically, objects of the present invention are a device for separating elements, as well as a method for the same purpose, in which the grouped heterogeneous elements are separated thanks to the diversity of sizes or volumes that differentiates one from another between them. Where, the separation is achieved in a reduced space, without excessive noise and does not require vibration, in addition, it requires a minimum displacement of its parts and low energy consumption.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various solutions for sorting, selecting or separating elements based on their dimensions or volume are known from the state of the art.
Many of these known solutions comprise conveyor means configured to support and transfer a heterogeneous group of elements of different sizes to be separated. These conveyor means comprise a plurality of traction belts arranged so that a plurality of spaces are formed therebetween. Where, these spaces created between the traction belts gradually increase and act as separation means of the elements conveyed by said belts, according to the dimensions of said elements, as shown in documents CN211515211 , KR101430146 , KR100861742 , US1552366 and US3779379 ; or else, aided by second belts arranged between the traction belts, usually in a lower plane of the latter, as shown in documents CN2167069 and US3713537 .
These known solutions have the drawback that they require large spaces for their installation, since they use conveyor means with large lengths, with a view to achieving the different steps or stages of separation of the elements they convey, depending on their dimensions or volume. In some cases, vibration means are additionally used, which generate noise and high additional energy consumption.
It is thus necessary to design, in a simple and economical way, an alternative solution to these devices for separating elements based on their known dimensions, achieving to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is established and characterised in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics thereof.
An object of the invention is a device for separating elements based on their dimensions.
The device basically comprises:

conveyor means, which are configured to support and transfer a group of elements to be separated, and
separation means that are configured to separate in a staggered manner the elements supported by the conveyor means based on their dimensions.

Where, the conveyor means comprise a plurality of traction belts arranged in parallel, such that a plurality of spaces are formed between the traction belts.
For its part, in a basic embodiment of the device, the separation means comprise at least a first array of elevation columns with first rows of vertical columns. In addition, the first rows of vertical columns are extended below the conveyor means, where the first array of elevation columns is adapted to be moved vertically, such that the first rows of columns are suitable to be raised, passing through the spaces formed between the traction belts of the conveyor means, and to come into contact with the elements of greater dimensions of the group of elements to be separated, where a distance between the first rows of columns is smaller than some dimensions of the elements of greater dimensions and greater than some dimensions of the rest of the elements of the group of elements to be separated, such that, when raising the first rows of columns, the elements of greater dimensions are raised and separated from the rest of the elements of the group of elements to be separated, which remain supported on the traction belts.
However, the separation means of the device can comprise more than one array of elevation columns, from one to n, depending on the number of separation steps that are required to be implemented for the group of elements to be separated based on their dimensions. For example, in a preferred embodiment, first, those of greater dimensions, then, those of intermediate dimensions and, lastly, those of small dimensions.
In this preferred embodiment, the separation means additionally comprise a second array of elevation columns with second rows of vertical columns likewise extended below the conveyor means, where the first and second rows of columns are alternately arranged in a staggered formation, and the first and second arrays of elevation columns are adapted to be moved vertically and independently of each other, such that, in a second separation step, the second rows of columns are suitable to be raised, passing through the respective spaces of those formed between the traction belts, alternating with the spaces already passed through by the first rows of columns, and to come into contact with elements of intermediate dimensions of the group of elements to be separated, where, a distance between the first and second rows of columns is smaller than the dimensions of the elements of intermediate dimensions and greater than the dimensions of some elements of small dimensions, such that, as the first and second rows of columns are raised, the elements of intermediate dimensions are raised and separated from the elements of small dimensions, which remain supported on the traction belts.
In other words, the respective first and second rows of columns of the first and second arrays of elevation columns are adapted to be independently raised and to come into contact with the elements of greater and intermediate dimensions of the group of elements to be separated, where, a distance between the first rows of columns is smaller than some dimensions of the elements of greater dimensions and greater than some dimensions of the elements of intermediate dimensions, and a distance between the first and second rows of columns is smaller than the dimensions of the elements of intermediate dimensions and greater than some dimensions of the elements of small dimensions, such that, when raising the first rows of columns, the elements of greater dimensions are raised and separated from the elements of intermediate and small dimensions, and when lifting the first and second rows of columns, the elements of intermediate dimensions are raised and separated from the elements of small dimensions, the latter remain supported on the traction belts.
Likewise, also an object of the present invention is a method for separating elements based on their dimensions.
In a basic embodiment of the method, the basis is to support and transfer grouped elements to be separated, on a collection platform, on conveyor means with a plurality of traction belts arranged parallel to each other, such that a plurality of spaces are formed between the traction belts.
Next, first rows of columns of a first array of elevation columns are elevated, through respective spaces of those formed between the traction belts, until pushing the elements of greater dimensions towards a height, arranged above the collection platform, wherein the elements of greater dimensions are separated from the rest of the elements of the group of elements to be separated, which remain supported on the traction belts.
The previously separated elements of greater dimensions are then removed, which are supported on the first rows of columns.
Next, the first rows of columns are lowered to the level of the collection platform, and finally, the rest of the elements of the group of elements that are supported on the traction belts and/or the collection platform are removed, and it is possible to start a new cycle of the separation method of a new group of heterogeneous elements to be separated based on their dimensions.
Likewise, the method could include more separation steps in addition to the basic ones described above. For example, in a preferred embodiment of the method, after the step of removing the separated elements of greater dimensions, second rows of columns are elevated from a second array of elevation columns, through respective spaces of those formed between the traction belts, alternating with the spaces already passed through by the first rows of columns, until pushing some elements of intermediate dimensions, from the group of elements to be separated that remained supported on the traction belts after the separation of the elements of greater dimensions, towards the height previously reached by the first rows of columns, wherein the elements of intermediate dimensions are separated from the rest of the elements of small dimensions, which remain supported on the traction belts.
The previously separated elements of intermediate dimensions are then removed, which are supported on the first and second rows of columns.
Next, the first and second rows of columns are lowered to the level of the collection platform, and finally, the elements of small dimensions that are supported on the traction belts and/or the collection platform are removed, and it is possible to start, as in the basic embodiment, a new cycle of the separation method of a new group of heterogeneous elements to be separated based on their dimensions.
In any case, the separation is achieved in a reduced space, without excessive noise and does not require the use of vibrations. In addition, low power consumption is required.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This specification is supplemented by a set of drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment and never intended to limit the invention.

Figure 1 represents a top view of a preferred embodiment of the separating device.
Figure 2 represents a sectional side view of the device, along the cut line A-A of Figure 1, showing the first and second arrays of elevation columns of the separation means in an initial position below the conveyor means.
Figure 3 represents a sectional side view of the device, along the cut line A-A of Figure 1, showing the first array of elevation columns in a final elevated position above the conveyor means, and the second array of elevation columns in the initial position below the conveyor means.
Figure 4 represents a sectional side view of the device, along the cut line B-B of Figure 1, showing the first and second arrays of elevation columns of the separation means in the final position elevated above the conveyor means.
Figure 5 represents an enlarged front view of the device of Figure 1 showing the side profile of the traction belt of the conveyor means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is a device for separating elements based on their dimensions.
As shown in the figures, the device comprises conveyor means (1), which are configured to support and transfer grouped elements (2, 3, 4) to be separated. These grouped elements (2, 3, 4) are heterogeneous in relation to their dimensions or volume, which, being grouped, i.e., mixed together, makes their required separation difficult.
As shown in Figure 1, the conveyor means (1) comprise a plurality of traction belts (1.1) arranged parallel to each other, such that a plurality of spaces (1.2) are formed between the traction belts (1.1).
Additionally, the device comprises separation means (5), configured to separate the elements (2, 3, 4) supported by the conveyor means (1) based on their dimensions.
In a basic embodiment of the separating device, its separation means (5) comprise at least a first array of elevation columns (5.1) with first rows of vertical columns (5.11) extended below the conveyor means (1), the first array of elevation columns (5.1) is adapted to be moved vertically, such that the first rows of columns (5.11) are suitable to be raised, passing through the spaces (1.2) formed between the traction belts (1.1) of the conveyor means (1), and to come into contact with the elements (2) of greater dimensions of the group of elements (2, 3, 4) to be separated, where, a distance (d1) between the first rows of columns (5.11) is smaller than some dimensions of the elements (2) of greater dimensions and greater than some dimensions of the rest of the elements (3, 4) of the group of elements (2, 3, 4) to be separated, such that, when raising the first rows of columns (5.11), the elements of greater dimensions (2) are raised and separated from the rest of the elements (3, 4), the latter remain supported by the traction belts (1.1) of the conveyor means (1) .
Likewise, the separation means (5) of the separating device can comprise more than one array of elevation columns (5.1, 5.2), from one to n, depending on the number of separation steps that are required to be implemented for the group of elements (2, 3, 4) to be separated based on their dimensions.
For example, in a preferred embodiment of the separating device, shown in the figures, where, it is required to separate a group of elements (2, 3, 4) that includes some elements (2) of greater dimensions, other elements (3) of intermediate dimensions, and other elements (4) of small dimensions, the separation means (5) comprise at least first and second arrays of elevation columns (5.1, 5.2) with respective first and second rows of vertical columns (5.11, 5.21) alternately arranged in a staggered formation and extended below the conveyor means (1). In other words, below the conveyor means (1), a succession of rows of vertical columns is formed with the first rows of columns (5.11) arranged between two of the second rows of columns (5.21), and so on, such that said succession of first and second rows of columns (5.11, 5.21) is formed in a staggered formation, as shown in Figure 1.
As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the first and second arrays of elevation columns (5.1, 5.2) are adapted to be moved vertically and independently of each other, such that the respective first and second rows of columns (5.11, 5.21) are suitable for being raised, passing through the spaces (1.2) formed between the traction belts (1.1) of the conveyor means (1), and to come into contact with the elements (2, 3) of greater and intermediate dimensions of the group of elements (2, 3, 4) to be separated.
Where:

a distance (d1) between the first rows of columns (5.11) is:
- smaller than some dimensions of the elements (2) of greater dimensions, and
- greater than some dimensions of the elements (3) of intermediate dimensions; and
a distance (d2) between the first and second rows of columns (5.11, 5.21) is:
- smaller than the dimensions of the elements (3) of intermediate dimensions, and
- greater than some dimensions of the elements (4) of small dimensions.

Such that, when raising the first rows of columns (5.11), as shown in Figure 3, the elements (2) of greater dimensions are raised and separated from the elements (3, 4) of intermediate and small dimensions, and when raising the first and second rows of columns (5.11, 5.21), as shown in Figure 4, the elements (3) of intermediate dimensions are raised and separated from the elements (4) of small dimensions.
Preferably, the first and second arrays of elevation columns (5.1, 5.2) comprise respective first and second base platforms (5.12, 5.22), which support at the top the first and second rows of columns (5.11, 5.21), respectively.
Additionally, it is preferred that the first and second arrays of elevation columns (5.1, 5.2) are arranged one above the other, such that the second rows of columns (5.21) of the second array of elevation columns (5.2) at the bottom are adapted to pass through first holes (5.121) formed in the first base platform (5.21) of the first array of elevation columns (5.1) at the top.
In addition, advantageously, the first and second base platforms (5.12, 5.22) can comprise respective elevation means with independent activation means (5.13, 5.23), which are adapted to control both the upward/downward speed of the respective first and/or second arrays of elevation columns (5.1, 5.2), and the height (h) reached by the first and/or second rows of columns (5.11, 5.21) above the conveyor means (1).
Additionally, the device could comprise a collection platform (6) arranged substantially horizontally below the traction belts (1.1) of the conveyor means (1) that support and transfer the group of elements (2, 3, 4) to be separated.
Preferably, the collection platform (6) comprises second holes (6.1) adapted to be passed through by the first and second rows of columns (5.11, 5.21) of the first and second arrays of elevation columns (5.1, 5.2) respectively. Obviously, in the case of the basic embodiment, the second holes (6.1) would be adapted to be passed through by the first rows of columns (5.11) of the first array of elevation columns (5.1).
Additionally, it is preferred that an upper face (6.2) of the collection platform (6) comprises respective longitudinal grooves (6.21), arranged parallel to each other, and the traction belts (1.1) of the conveyor means (1) are adapted to snugly slide in the longitudinal grooves (6.21).
Likewise, it is preferred that the conveyor means (1) comprise respective drive pulleys or rollers (1.3) for each traction belt (1.1) that are arranged at ends (6.3) of the collection platform (6). Preferably, the drive pulleys or rollers (1.3) can be configured to be driven independently, such that the traction belts (1.1) are suitable to be moved at different speeds relative to each other, and thereby, facilitate the separation of the grouped elements (2, 3, 4) on said traction belts (1.1).
Likewise, as shown in Figure 5, advantageously, the traction belts (1.1) may comprise external projections (1.11) configured to facilitate the traction on the grouped elements (2, 3, 4) supported by the traction belts (1.1).
For its part, the method for separating elements based on their dimensions, also an object of the present invention, in its most basic embodiment, with two separation steps, as shown in Figure 1 and 2, is based on supporting and transferring a group of elements (2, 3, 4) to be separated, on a collection platform (6), on conveyor means (1) with a plurality of traction belts (1.1) arranged in parallel, such that a plurality of spaces (1.2) are formed between the traction belts (1.1).
Subsequently, as shown in Figure 3, first rows of columns (5.11) of a first array of elevation columns (5.1) are elevated, through respective spaces (1.2) of those formed between traction belts (1.1), until pushing some elements (2) of greater dimensions of the group of elements (2, 3, 4) towards a height (h) arranged above the conveyor means (1), where, the elements (2) of greater dimensions are separated from the rest of the elements (3, 4) of the group of elements (2, 3, 4) to be separated, which remain supported on the traction belts (1.1).
Next, the elements (2) of greater dimensions separated in the previous step are removed which, as a result of said separation, remained supported by the first rows of columns (5.11) .
Subsequently, the first rows of columns (5.11) are lowered to the level of the collection platform (6), and finally, the rest of the elements (3, 4) of the group of elements (2, 3, 4) that are supported on the traction belts (1.1) and/or the collection platform (6) are removed, and it is possible to start a new cycle of the separation method of a new group of heterogeneous elements (2, 3, 4) to be separated based on their dimensions.
Likewise, the method could include more separation steps in addition to the basic ones described above. For example, in the preferred embodiment of the method, with three separation steps, after the step of removing the separated elements (2) of greater dimensions, as shown in Figure 4, second rows of columns (5.21) of a second array of elevation columns (5.2) are elevated, through respective spaces (1.2) of those formed between the traction belts (1.1), alternating with the spaces (1.2) previously passed through by the first rows of columns (5.11), until pushing some elements (3) of intermediate dimensions, of the group of elements (2, 3, 4) to be separated that remained supported on the traction belts (1.1) after the separation of the elements (2) of greater dimensions, towards the height (h), where the elements (3) of intermediate dimensions are separated from the rest of the elements (4) of small dimensions, which remain supported on the traction belts (1.1).
Next, the elements (3) of intermediate dimensions separated in the previous step are removed, which, as a result of said separation, remained supported by the first and second rows of columns (5.11, 5.21).
Subsequently, as shown in Figure 5, the first and second rows of columns (5.11, 5.21) are lowered below the conveyor means (1) in order to, lastly, proceed to remove the elements (4) of small dimensions that remain supported on the traction belts (1.1) and/or the collection platform (6), and thus, as in the basic embodiment described above, a new cycle of the separation method of a new group of heterogeneous elements (2, 3, 4) to be separated based on their dimensions can start.

Claims

Device for separating elements based on their dimensions, comprising:
- conveyor means (1), configured to support and transfer a group of elements (2, 3, 4) to be separated, and

- separation means (5), configured to separate the elements (2, 3, 4) supported by the conveyor means (1) based on their dimensions,
where, the conveyor means (1) comprise a plurality of traction belts (1.1) arranged in parallel, such that a plurality of spaces (1.2) are formed between the traction belts (1.1),
characterised in that the separation means (5) comprise at least a first array of elevation columns (5.1) with first rows of vertical columns (5.11) extended below the conveyor means (1), the first array of elevation columns (5.1) is adapted to be moved vertically, such that the first rows of columns (5.11) are suitable to be raised, passing through the spaces (1.12) formed between the traction belts (1.1) of the conveyor means (1), and to come into contact with the elements (2) of greater dimensions of the group of elements (2, 3, 4) to be separated, where, a distance (d1) between the first rows of columns (5.11) is smaller than some dimensions of the elements (2) of greater dimensions and greater than some dimensions of the rest of the elements (3, 4) of the group of elements (2, 3, 4) to be separated, such that, when raising the first rows of columns (5.11), the elements of greater dimensions (2) are raised and separated from the rest of the elements (3, 4).
Device according to claim 1, wherein the first array of elevation columns (5.1) comprises a first base platform (5.12) that supports at the top the first rows of columns (5.11) .
Device according to claim 2, wherein the first base platform (5.12) comprises elevation means (5.13) that are adapted to control both an upward/downward speed of the first array of elevation columns (5.1) and a height (h) reached by the first rows of columns (5.11), above the conveyor means (1).
Device according to claim 1, wherein the separation means (5) comprise a second array of elevation columns (5.2) with second rows of vertical columns (5.21) extended below the conveyor means (1), where, the first and second rows of columns (5.11, 5.21) are alternately arranged in a staggered formation, and the first and second arrays of elevation columns (5.1, 5.2) are adapted to be moved vertically and independently of each other, such that the second rows of columns (5.21) are suitable to be raised, passing through respective spaces (1.2) of those formed between the traction belts (1.1), alternating with the spaces (1.2) passed through by the first rows of columns (5.21), and come into contact with some elements (3) of intermediate dimensions of the group of elements (2, 3, 4) to be separated, where, a distance (d2) between the first and second rows of columns (5.11, 5.21) is smaller than the dimensions of the elements (3) of intermediate dimensions and greater than the dimensions of some elements (4) of small dimensions, such that, as the first and second rows of columns (5.11, 5.21) are raised, the elements (3) of intermediate dimensions are raised and separated from the elements (4) of small dimensions.
Device according to claim 4, wherein the second array of elevation columns (5.2) comprises a second base platform (5.22) that supports at the top the second rows of columns (5.21).
Device according to claims 2 and 5, wherein the first and second arrays of elevation columns (5.1, 5.2) are arranged one above the other, such that the second rows of columns (5.21) of the second array of elevation columns (5.2) at the bottom are adapted to pass through first holes (5.121) formed in the first base platform (5.12) of the first array of elevation columns (5.1) at the top.
Device according to claims 2 and 5, wherein the first and second base platforms (5.12, 5.22) comprise respective elevation means (5.13, 5.23) with independent activation means and adapted to control both an upward/downward speed of the respective first and/or second arrays of elevation columns (5.1, 5.2), and a height (h) reached by the first and/or second rows of columns (5.11, 5.21), above the conveyor means (1).
Device according to claim 1, comprising a collection platform (6) arranged substantially horizontally below the traction belts (1.1) of the conveyor means (1) that support and transfer the group of elements (2, 3, 4) to be separated.
Device according to claim 8, wherein the collection platform (6) comprises second holes (6.1) adapted to be passed through by the first rows of columns (5.11) of the first array of elevation columns (5.1).
Device according to claims 4 and 8, wherein the collection platform (6) comprises second holes (6.1) adapted to be passed through by the first and second rows of columns (5.11, 5.21) of the first and second arrays of elevation columns (5.1, 5.2) respectively.
Device according to claim 8, wherein an upper face (6.2) of the collection platform (6) comprises respective longitudinal grooves (6.21), arranged parallel to each other, and the traction belts (1.1) of the conveyor means (1) are adapted to snugly slide in the longitudinal grooves (6.21).
Device according to claim 8, wherein the conveyor means (1) comprise respective drive pulleys or rollers (1.3) for each traction belt (1.1) that are arranged at ends (6.3) of the collection platform (6).
Device according to claim 12, wherein the drive pulleys or rollers (1.3) are configured to be driven independently, such that the traction belts (1.1) are suitable to be moved at different speeds relative to each other.
Method for separating elements based on their dimensions, including the following steps:
a) supporting and transferring a group of elements (2, 3, 4) to be separated, on a collection platform (6), on conveyor means (1) with a plurality of traction belts (1.1) arranged in parallel, such that a plurality of spaces (1.2) are formed between the traction belts (1.1),

b) elevating, through respective spaces (1.2) of those formed between the traction belts (1.1), first rows of columns (5.11) of a first array of elevation columns (5.1) until pushing some elements (2) of greater dimensions of the group of elements (2, 3, 4) towards a height (h) arranged above the conveyor means (1), where the elements (2) of greater dimensions are separated from the rest of elements (3, 4) of the group of elements (2, 3, 4), which remain supported on the traction belts (1.1),

c) removing the elements (2) of greater dimensions separated in step b), supported by the first rows of columns (5.11),

d) lowering the rows of columns (5.11, 5.21) below the conveyor means (1), and

e) removing the rest of the elements (4) from the group of elements (2, 3, 4), supported on the traction belts (1.1) and/or the collection platform (6).
Method according to claim 14, including between steps c) and d), the following steps:
f) elevating, through respective spaces (1.2) of those formed between the traction belts (1.1), alternating with the spaces (1.2) passed through in step b), a second row of columns (5.21) of a second array of elevation columns (5.2) until pushing some elements (3) of intermediate dimensions towards the height (h), where, the elements (3) of intermediate dimensions are separated from the rest of the elements (4) of small dimensions, which remain supported in the traction belts (1.1), and
g) removing the elements (3) of intermediate dimensions separated in step f), supported by the first and second rows of columns (5.11, 5.21).