Angled-Axis Crate Drying Through Centrifugal Liquid Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drying methods for crates or boxes, such as those used in the beverage manufacturing industry, are inefficient and energy-intensive due to high noise levels and energy consumption, and fail to effectively remove liquid from containers using centrifugal force.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that rotates crates or boxes around an axis angled other than perpendicular to the bottom wall, utilizing a transport device, holding device, and drive device to facilitate liquid expulsion, with features like a servomotor, gripping elements, and counterweights to manage imbalance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If crates are dried using a strong air stream, then liquid is blown off the surfaces, but noise levels are very high and energy consumption is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pneumatic drying system (strong air stream) with a mechanical drying system (centrifugal force through rotation). The crates are rotated at controlled speeds to generate centrifugal force that expels water, eliminating the need for high-power ventilation fans and thus reducing both noise and energy consumption while maintaining drying effectiveness.
2Loss of energy
If crates are dried by spinning around a vertical axis, then energy consumption is reduced, but liquid is pushed against side walls instead of being forced out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetry in the rotation axis orientation. Instead of rotating crates around a vertical axis (perpendicular to bottom wall), the rotation axis is inclined at a specific angle (e.g., 45 degrees) relative to the vertical axis. This asymmetric orientation allows centrifugal force to act at an angle that directs liquid outward through the bottom wall and side walls rather than merely pushing it against the side walls, thereby improving liquid removal efficiency while maintaining low energy consumption.
3Loss of energy
If crates are rotated around an axis perpendicular to the bottom wall, then the drying process is energy-efficient, but not all liquid is forced out of the container
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the symmetric vertical rotation to an asymmetric inclined rotation. By orienting the rotation axis at an angle (e.g., 45 degrees) to the vertical axis, the centrifugal force vector is directed obliquely outward, enabling liquid to be effectively expelled through both the bottom wall and side walls of the crate, thereby reducing the quantity of liquid remaining while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the rotation parameter by changing the axis orientation angle. By adjusting the inclination angle of the rotation axis relative to the vertical axis, the direction and distribution of centrifugal force are optimized to maximize liquid expulsion efficiency across different surfaces of the crate, ensuring more complete liquid removal without increasing energy consumption.
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
Enhances liquid removal efficiency while reducing energy consumption and noise, allowing for faster and more effective drying processes.
Implementation Method 1
This spinning is usually done by a drive, such as a gripper, grasping the object to be dried and spinning it around an axis that is usually perpendicular to the bottom of a container... not all of the liquid is forced out of the container, but some of it is simply pushed against the side walls of the boxes or crates due to centrifugal force
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
Device (1) for drying objects (10), and in particular boxes or crates, wherein these boxes or crates have at least one bottom wall (10a) and at least one side wall, wherein the device (1) comprises a transport device (2) which transports the objects along a predetermined transport path, a holding device (4) which is suitable and intended for temporarily holding the objects, and a drive device (6) which is suitable and intended for rotating the holding device with the object arranged thereon about at least one predetermined axis of rotation. According to the invention, the predetermined axis of rotation (D) extends at an angle other than 90° to the bottom wall.